Needs Mapping in Bellingen Shire — Listening, Learning, Acting
Since 2018, the Housing Matters Action Group Inc (HMAG) has been working alongside the Bellingen Shire community to build a clear, local picture of housing need.
Our Needs Mapping Surveys are a core part of this work. They bring together lived experience, local knowledge and data to help us understand what’s really happening on the ground — and, importantly, what needs to change.
2018 — Identifying Hidden Need
Our first Needs Mapping Survey in 2018 revealed what many in the community already felt, but had not yet been clearly evidenced: housing stress and insecurity were widespread, and certain groups were being disproportionately affected.
One of the most significant findings was the vulnerability of older, single women — many of whom were at risk of displacement or homelessness despite long-standing connections to the area.
This evidence became a catalyst for action. It informed advocacy, strengthened partnerships, and ultimately contributed to the development of Watson Place — now providing 23 units of secure, affordable housing for women over 55 at risk of homelessness. Read the final report here and slide deck here.
2022–2023 — Deepening the Picture
Our second round of needs mapping in 2022–23 built on this foundation, capturing the growing pressures in the local housing system. Read full slide deck here. You can also view our three Case Studies below:
- Case Study — Aboriginal household
- Case Study — Single parent household
- Case Study — Young family household
The data showed:
- Increasing competition in the private rental market
- Rising housing costs across all tenures
- A widening gap between local incomes and housing affordability
- Mounting pressure on key workers and essential services
Importantly, the survey confirmed that housing challenges were no longer affecting just a small group — they were becoming a whole-of-community issue.
This work strengthened the case for more systemic responses, including the development of the Waterfall Way Community Land Trust, that will deliver permanently affordable homeownership to working households on local incomes.
2025–2026 — Informing the Next Decade
Our most recent Needs Mapping Survey (2025–26) provides an up-to-date picture of housing need across Bellingen Shire at a critical moment. Read the full slide here and appendix here.
Early insights highlight:
- Ongoing and significant pressure on renters
- Continued displacement and instability across the community
- Growing concern about the impact of housing on workforce attraction and retention, particularly in healthcare and other essential sectors
- Increasing community awareness that housing affordability is shaping the future of the Shire
This latest round of work is directly informing HMAG’s 10-year strategy, helping to ensure that our efforts remain grounded in community need and focused on practical, achievable outcomes.
From Insight to Action
Needs mapping is not just about collecting data — it’s about creating a shared understanding that can drive meaningful change.
Across each iteration, a consistent pattern has emerged:
- The community shares its experiences
- We translate those insights into evidence
- That evidence informs advocacy, partnerships and projects
- And together, we work towards solutions that reflect local priorities
This cycle of listening, learning and acting continues to shape HMAG’s work — and ensures that our response to the housing challenge remains community-led, evidence-based and grounded in place.
