Housing News Digest
Housing News Digest
The Tenants' Union Housing News Digest compiles our pick of items from all the latest tenancy and housing media, sent once per week, on Thursdays.
Below is the Digest archive from November 2020 onwards. From time to time you will find additional items in the archive that did not make it into the weekly Digest email. Earlier archives are here, where you can also find additional digests by other organisations.
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Archive
Sydney's rental crisis, calls to change NSW rental laws
(No paywall)Sydney's rental crisis has gone from bad to worse with prices soaring by hundreds of dollars a week, right across the city. There are now calls to change state laws to give more power to tenants who in many cases have been pushed to breaking point. (7 News) Also, watch 'Tenants see dramatic increases in weekly rents as supply shortage hits' on the ABC at: [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=a8zCZ2yCpi0&t=2s&ab_channel=ABCNews%28Australia%29]. Whilst in Tasmania, 'Tim's rent is more than doubling, but he says there's nowhere else to go' on ABC News at: [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tUZuLEIKVh4&ab_channel=ABCNews%28Australia%29].
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XmJPoDcjXhE&ab_channel=7NEWSAust…
# TUNSW in the media, Video NSW, Eviction, Rent, Coronavirus COVID-19, Federal Government, Homelessness, Housing affordability, Housing market, No-grounds evictions, State Government, Sydney.September 2022 News
Shelter NSW (No paywall)In this month's edition:
40 years old is not old, right? - Redevelopment of Wentworth Park Rd public housing estate
North Eveleigh ‘Paint Shop’ Precinct - we see your 30% social/affordable/diverse housing Minister Stokes and raise you 30%
Hey MPs, we’ve had a real decrease in social housing stock in the regions!
'Arrival' of new National Aboriginal Peak Housing Body
Riverwood Housing Estate – NSW Government proposal to re-develop for just 30% social housing in return
Cold and Costly sounds about right – Winter Renter Researcher Report 2022
Aftershock - how the waves of domestic and family violence continue to hurt women and children
How well does Willoughby do Affordable Housing? - a check in
Regional Plan Reviews to 2041 – Submissions, submissions, submissions
Australia’s future – a few 10 million person megacities or something more balanced?
People living with disability left to fend for themselves
Exceptional speakers. Committed conversations. Fist bumps for all.
- NCOSS Conference - Vision, Voice, Value
https://mailchi.mp/shelternsw/shelter-nsw-september-2022-ebullet…
# NSW, Aboriginal renters, Domestic violence, Public and community housing, Utilities water energy internet, Affordable housing, Disability, Estate renewal, Planning and development.Social housing temperatures in NSW exceed health and safety limits
Ben Knight (No paywall)Many residents in social housing in New South Wales can experience alarming levels of winter underheating and summer overheating in their homes that do not meet standards for comfort and health, according to UNSW Sydney-led research funded by the Department of Planning and Environment and CRC for Low Carbon Living. (Medical Xpress)
https://medicalxpress.com/news/2022-09-social-housing-temperatur…
# NSW, Public and community housing, Utilities water energy internet, Climate change, Health, Minimum habitability standards.The housing dream that became a nightmare - and isn’t over yet
Ross Gittins The Sydney Morning Herald (Paywall)If you think the rich are getting richer, you’re right – but maybe not for the reason you think. It’s mainly the rising price of housing, which is steadily reshaping our society, and not for the better. We know how unaffordable home ownership has become, but that’s just the bit you can see, as the Grattan Institute’s Brendan Coates outlined in the annual Henry George lecture this week, “The Great Australian Nightmare”, a magisterial survey of housing and its many implications.
https://www.smh.com.au/business/the-economy/the-housing-dream-th…
# Australia, Rent, Families, Home ownership, Housing affordability, Housing market.Rent Freeze: A Victory for Tenants’ Rights
Rosie Hampton (No paywall)This week, the Scottish government announced a rent freeze across the private and socially rented sectors, accompanied by an eviction ban, until March 2023. Whilst there is much in the coming legislation that will need to be scrutinised, two things are immediately clear: the rent freeze will take immediate effect, and that this is a mammoth victory for tenants’ rights across Scotland. This is the outcome of coordinated, relentless, and inspiring tenant action throughout the country, and it exemplifies the power we have when we organise together. Living Rent members have been at the forefront of this fight, having demanded rent controls since our beginnings in 2014. (Bellacaledonia)
https://bellacaledonia.org.uk/2022/09/15/rent-freeze-a-victory-f…
# Must read International, Eviction, Rent, Campaigns and law reform.National Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Housing Association (NATSIHA) launch
Julie Collins, Minister for the Department of Social Services (No paywall)I am delighted to be here as Minister for Housing and Minister for Homelessness at the launch of the National Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Housing Association (NATSIHA). As the first and only national peak body for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander housing in Australia, NATSIHA will be undertaking vital and welcome work. We know that housing issues and homelessness are pressing problems for many Australians, and have a disproportionate effect on Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people.
https://ministers.dss.gov.au/speeches/9121?utm_source=miragenews…
# Australia, Aboriginal renters, Public and community housing, Federal Government, Landlords and agents.Yolngu women celebrate opening of Galiwin'ku women's space after 10 year push for a shelter
ABC (No paywall)For Bettina Danganbarr, it's hard to believe this day has finally come. A safe place for Yolngu women seeking refuge in her community – the Galiwin'ku Women's Space – has officially opened after 10 years of advocacy and careful negotiation. "It means a lot, I'm a bit still in shock but I think it's starting to hit me because everybody's here," Ms Danganbarr said. "It's a special day not just for me but for the community."
https://www.abc.net.au/news/2022-09-16/nt-yolngu-womens-safe-spa…
# Australia, Domestic violence, Homelessness, Race and ethnicity, Women.Australian sprawl: why developing our way to affordable housing could backfire
Joe Hinchliffe The Guardian (No paywall)Greenfield development – that which takes place in previously undeveloped areas - is being held up as a pillar of the state government’s efforts to address south-east Queensland’s housing crisis. But those at the coalface say it will do nothing for the region’s growing homeless population, while others advocating renters’ rights identify a number of more meaningful reforms. And some economists and planning experts say it will have no impact on reducing house prices. ... Karyn Walsh, the CEO and founding member of not-for-profit organisation Micah Projects, said newly constructed outer suburbs lack transport, health and training services as well as employment opportunities needed by disadvantaged and vulnerable people. ... [Tenants Queensland’s Penny Carr said] 'Queensland rent reforms, due to come into effect next month, failed to protect tenants from no-grounds evictions due to a loophole around fixed-term agreements which was leaving renters in a state of permanent instability.'
https://www.theguardian.com/australia-news/2022/sep/16/australia…
# Australia, Rent, Affordable housing, Homelessness, Housing market, No-grounds evictions, Work, employment.