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
Giving free legal advice to the most vulnerable
Jimmy Thompson (No paywall)Here at Flat Chat we frequently recommend that cash-strapped apartment residents make use of the services provided by Marrickville Legal Centre, if they need strata law support but can’t afford commercial rates. But every time I do that, I get a twinge of guilt because I know the service – based in Marrickville, Sydney, but serving strata owners and residents all over NSW – is already pushed to the limit of its resources. (Flat Chat)
# NSW, Strata, Tenants Advice and Advocacy Services.Why the housing and homelessness sector needs to do more to recognise the needs of young trans people
Lauren Page-Hammick and Jotepreet Bhandal Inside Housing (No paywall)Many homelessness and housing organisations have been talking on social media about their support for Pride. But, Lauren Page-Hammick and Jotepreet Bhandal argue, there are concrete steps they should be taking to make sure services are accessible and welcoming to young trans people experiencing homelessness
https://www.insidehousing.co.uk/home/home/why-the-housing-and-ho…
# International, Discrimination, Homelessness, Young people.Crisis housing at breaking point as Wheatbelt mother-of-two homeless despite full-time job
Sam McManus ABC (No paywall)Homelessness across the Wheatbelt has now passed crisis point, according to regional providers of emergency housing. Northam Share and Care, a not-for-profit providing crisis housing, said even those with well-paying jobs were being left out in the cold due to a lack of available homes. Monique (not her real name), a 29-year-old mother of two, moved to the Avon region last year to escape domestic violence. She is now living in a caravan and shares a bed with her daughters who are both under the age of 10. "You can hear the mice and rats running "You can hear the mice and rats running around. It's not something where you can lock your doors and feel safe," she said. "We have a little camp shower and I've bought an expensive chemical toilet which I empty at the chemical waste place.
https://www.abc.net.au/news/2022-06-24/homelessness-crisis-wa-wh…
# Australia, Domestic violence, Families, Homelessness, Housing market, Women.ERHIN awards, winners announced press release
(No paywall)On the 16th of June 2022, we celebrated the ERHIN Final Ceremony awarding the winners of each of the five categories. The Ceremony took place in the context of the International Social Housing Festival in Helsinki and was the occasion to finally meet in person and mutually learn from each other´s good practices in the housing sector. (International Union of Tenants)
https://www.iut.nu/news-events/erhin-awards-winners-announced-pr…
# International, Public and community housing, International.The changing face of homelessness in regional NSW: ‘I’m working, but everything is unaffordable’
Jordyn Beazley The Guardian (No paywall)n the Moruya North Head campground where around 50 people live, there’s no power and the water in the one private shower is cold. “Sometimes you can’t handle that, so you’ve got to boil up some water and try work it that way,” says Geoff Pike as the sun dips and the winter chill sets in. Lately, it’s been getting down to 3C at night. Pike moved to the campground, nestled along the south of Moruya’s Bengello beach on New South Wales south coast, 10 months ago after his relationship ended with this partner. For the first three months, he made do with a swag and a gazebo, then he sold his motorbike to afford a caravan. ... [And] many are living there for the same reason more and more people are moving into campgrounds and caravan parks across the NSW south coast: they can’t afford a house in their home town any more.
https://www.theguardian.com/australia-news/2022/jun/26/the-chang…
# NSW, Land lease communities, Rent, Homelessness, Housing affordability, Regional NSW.More fines for Tasmanian landlords over repair and maintenance issues for properties in rental market
Adam Holmes (Paywall)Tasmania has seen an increase in the number of fines issued to landlords over failures to rectify problems with their properties, and a decrease in the number of complaints coming from tenants. The Residential Tenancy Commissioner has previously encountered criticism for rarely issuing fines to landlords over failures to meet minimum standards for properties, but this appears to have started to change. (The Examiner)
https://www.examiner.com.au/story/7792757/increase-in-fines-for-…
# Australia, Rent, Repairs, Landlords and agents.Battle over Windang Oasis Village's future heads to NSW Supreme Court
Grace Crivellaro Illawarra Mercury (Paywall)It’s been a gruelling, anxious fight for Windang’s Oasis Village residents who have been under a black cloud for the past four years, fearing they could lose their homes.
But an application for an administrator to be appointed to look after the lakeside caravan park, which is home to around 50 elderly people, has provided them with a glimmer of hope. ... The matter will be mentioned in the NSW Supreme Court on July 12.
https://www.illawarramercury.com.au/story/7794268/battle-over-wi…
# NSW, Eviction, Land lease communities, Tribunal NCAT, Local Government, State Government.Housing crisis: The 20 regions facing the largest rent hikes
Sezen Bakan The New Daily (No paywall)Long-suffering renters are in for more pain over the next two years, with rents set to rise by $100 a week in at least 20 Australian cities and regions. Soaring weekly rents and low vacancy rates have already left renters struggling to afford accommodation amid a broader rise in the cost of living.
https://thenewdaily.com.au/finance/property/2022/06/21/rent-cris…
# Australia, Rent, Housing market.