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
Federal budget's failure to address affordable housing 'embarrassing'
Emily Hutchinson (No paywall)First-home buyers, single parents and downsizers got a boost in the 2021 federal budget, but experts say the issue of affordable housing was ignored in the big-spending and jobs-focused budget. National Association of Tenants Organisations spokesperson Leo Patterson Ross said boosting affordable housing would have been one of the most ‘effective uses of government expenditure’, but the opportunity was missed. “Australia doesn’t have enough jobs or genuinely affordable homes [and] a massive increase in public housing expenditure solves both issues – it should be a no brainer,” Mr Patterson Ross said. “It’s embarrassing for the country that we aren’t taking this opportunity.” (realestate.com.au)
https://www.realestate.com.au/news/federal-budgets-failure-to-ad…
# TUNSW in the media Australia, Rent, Affordable housing, Coronavirus COVID-19, Federal Government, Home ownership.NSW tenants need extra help as cold, mould and damp become big issues
Jonathan Chncellor (No paywall)Last year 23 per cent of renters were unable, for various circumstances, to keep warm in their home during cold weather. Some 27 per cent reported problems with mould in their rental properties, and 21 per cent reported dampness issues.
The prevalence of cold, mould and damp was much higher among people already in the worst health, and those who were highly susceptible, according to findings from the 2020 Australia Housing Survey. (realestate.com.au)
https://www.realestate.com.au/news/nsw-tenants-need-extra-help-a…
# NSW, Rent, Health, Minimum habitability standards, Mould.A year ago Adelaide's homeless were housed. Now, some are back on the streets amid an overhaul of the sector
Patrick Martin ABC (No paywall)The old grandstand in Victoria Park on Adelaide's leafy eastern fringe was once the home of South Australian horse racing. At the moment, it's home to people like Colin. The 41-year-old father has been homeless for three years, but said it wasn't always like this. "I have lived a good life, just like everyone else. I used to judge [homeless people]. I had a car and everything else and if I could have it all back now I would," he said. [Read on ...]
https://www.abc.net.au/news/2021-05-30/covid-19-saw-homeless-peo…
# Australia, Coronavirus COVID-19, Homelessness.A gripping depiction of family ties shines spotlight on hoarding
Giselle Nguyen The Sydney Morning Herald (Paywall)Here's a second review of Emily Mcguire's sixth novel, Love Objects. The tiara is a portal into a life long past. This woman, Nic, is a hoarder. Her home is filled with many such objects, all with fascinating stories to tell. ... The topic of hoarding is particularly interesting. The disorder has only recently been recognised as a mental health condition, affecting about 400,000 Australians. Maguire, who conducted research for the novel, is compassionate and non-judgmental in her depiction of Nic and her belongings: we are given a look into the tender and nostalgic mind of someone whose unusual habits reveal deep affection and care for her family, friends and even strangers.
https://www.smh.com.au/culture/books/an-empathetic-study-of-ment…
# NSW, Health.How we can drive up standards in the private rented sector
Richard Rowntree (No paywall)From the United Kingdom ... The days of rising damp and sub-standard boilers are numbered – standards in the private rented sector are improving and lenders can take some of the credit. But Richard Rowntree of Paragon Bank says there’s still more work to be done. (Mortgage Finance Gazette)
https://www.mortgagefinancegazette.com/market-commentary/drive-s…
# International, Rent, Repairs, Housing market, Mould.Wellington flat compared to 'dungeon from Parasite'
Ethan Te Ora (No paywall)From New Zealand ... “The landlord took us inside and it was really dim, no lights. It looked like an actual dungeon ... The place was messy. It looked like they hadn’t even cleaned ahead of the viewings.” The property was currently listed for $465 ... ”Ultimately, people have a choice as to where they want to live,” [Landlord Milan] Naran said. ”It’s up to them to make that choice. If they don’t like it, they don’t have to stay there.”
https://www.stuff.co.nz/life-style/homed/housing-affordability/1…
# International, Rent, Housing market, Minimum habitability standards.Sellers allow homebuyers to pay in Bitcoin but experts warn of 'highly volatile' currency
Sarah Cumming ABC (No paywall)Queensland's peak real estate body says vendors need to think carefully about accepting cryptocurrencies as payment for the sale of their homes. The owners of at least two Gold Coast properties currently listed for sale will allow buyers to pay with digital currencies, like Bitcoin. The Real Estate Institute of Queensland (REIQ) said cryptocurrencies were approved for use in Australia.
https://www.abc.net.au/news/2021-05-27/buying-property-with-bitc…
# Australia, Housing market.As property listings halve, real estate agents are also feeling the squeeze
Loretta Lohberger and Tamara Glumac ABC (No paywall)A falling number of houses on the market in Tasmania is encouraging real estate agents to "race to the bottom", or leave the industry entirely, some agents say.
https://www.abc.net.au/news/2021-05-29/properties-scarce-in-tasm…
# Australia, Human rights, Landlords and agents.