Submission: NSW Mental Health and Wellbeing Strategy

The Mental Health Commission of NSW is leading the development of the Strategy for Mental Health and Wellbeing in NSW. The Tenants' Union contributed to the consultation on this strategy and particularly focused our submission on the broader goal of better mental health and wellbeing for renters. People require not just basic shelter but a good home to live a safe, healthy and dignified life. It is well accepted that improving housing outcomes leads to improvements in health and well being. Our focus is on reforming laws, policies and practice in the housing system to ensure they are supporting renters to access and sustain safe, stable and affordable homes. Currently they are not adequately supporting renters in the private rental and social housing systems to sustain their tenancies which impacts mental health and wellbeing in our communities.

Research examining the mental health and wellbeing of renters found that housing insecurity has an impact on a renter's mental health. The study was undertaken over 20 years and found that a renter needs to live in a home for 5- 6 years to have the same mental health stability as that of an owner-occupier. Prior to the 5-6 year mark renters have poorer mental health outcomes than owner-occupiers.

In NSW the average tenure for renters is currently less than 2 years which highlights that our current housing system is not fit for purpose in ensuring good mental health and wellbeing for renters in our community.