WACOSS Housing and Sustainable Communities: A Framework for Social Sustainability

The Western Australian Council of Social Service (WACOSS) has undertaken a groundbreaking research project focused on developing housing indicators for socially sustainable communities. As a peak non-government organization representing over 350 social service agencies across Western Australia, WACOSS is uniquely positioned to address critical housing challenges facing low-income households.

Project Overview

The Housing and Sustainable Communities Indicators Project emerged from growing concerns about various housing issues affecting low-income households, including the availability and location of affordable housing, design considerations, and persistent homelessness among vulnerable community members. Funded by the Lotteries Commission of WA's Social Research Program and conducted in partnership with Murdoch University's Social Change and Social Equity Network, this initiative takes a holistic approach to addressing these challenges through the lens of sustainability.

Understanding Social Sustainability

At its core, social sustainability is defined as "the impact of formal and informal systems, structures, processes and relationships on the current and future livability and health of communities." This definition encompasses three critical elements:

• Current and future community health and livability
• The importance of structures, processes, and systems
• Both formal and informal dimensions of community life

Five Core Principles

The project has identified five fundamental principles of social sustainability:

1. Equity

Communities must provide equitable opportunities and outcomes for all members, with particular attention to vulnerable populations. This principle acts as a filter through which all other aspects of sustainability are viewed.

2. Diversity

Sustainable communities actively promote and encourage diversity through inclusiveness and valuing differences among community members.

3. Quality of Life

This encompasses meeting basic needs while fostering well-being at individual, group, and community levels. It includes both subjective elements like sense of belonging and objective conditions such as education and housing quality.

4. Interconnectedness

Communities need robust processes, systems, and structures that promote internal and external connections at formal, informal, and institutional levels.

5. Democracy and Governance

Sustainable communities require democratic processes and transparent, accountable governance structures that enable meaningful participation in decision-making.

Project Implementation

The research is being conducted in three distinct stages:

• Stage 1: Development of a comprehensive social sustainability model
• Stage 2: Community consultation to develop specific housing indicators
• Stage 3: Compilation of indicators and final reporting

Looking Forward

As this initiative moves forward, the focus will shift to developing practical housing indicators that can measure how effectively different communities contribute to social sustainability. These indicators will provide valuable tools for policymakers, community organizations, and housing providers in their efforts to create more sustainable and equitable communities across Western Australia.

The findings from this project will have significant implications for future housing policy and community development initiatives, particularly in addressing the needs of vulnerable populations while promoting broader community sustainability.