Campaigns are at their strongest when they speak to community needs and support local residents to become advocates. On Tuesday 18 November, Shelter NSW, in partnership with the Sydney Alliance, started to do just that with the Metro Sydney Community Listening.

Over the past few months, Shelter members have engaged with the Sydney Alliance and its partner organisations to host a community listening event and build an advocacy team in the City of Sydney and Inner West LGAs to advocate on local housing issues.

As the Alliance begins its campaign cycle – ahead of the 2027 state election – listening events form an important part of setting the advocacy agenda. It is through listening to community stories and highlighting common issues that the Alliance and its members come together to turn individual burdens into shared problems. In recognising these shared problems, we can start to strategise, research solutions, and campaign for fair and effective policies.

On the night of the listening, almost 100 people came to share stories about their challenges and aspirations at Wesley Mission on Pitt St. Housing, climate change and community safety were just some of the many topics that came up as local residents spoke to their lived experiences and nominated issues that they would like to take action on. The Deputy Lord Mayor of the City of Sydney, Jess Miller, was also in attendance and shared stories and acknowledged the work of attendees in fighting for a better future.

Shelter NSW members played significant roles in organising and logistics as well as facilitating discussions on the night. It was heartening to have such a strong presence of members helping to develop future leaders and shape campaign agendas. We were joined by colleagues from Better Renting, Wayside Chapel, Wesley Mission, Leichhardt Uniting Church, Australians for Mental Health and the UTS Centre for Social Justice and Inclusion.

Special thanks go to Murray Mayes, James Wilson and Ben McGowan who formed part of the organising team for this event, as well as Adam Antonelli, Emily Brock and Shelter NSW CEO John Engeler.

This is just the beginning. As we move into 2026, there will be more opportunities to influence the advocacy agenda, research policy solutions, help shape demands and get involved in building power in your community, whether that’s in Inner Sydney and the Inner West or across Greater Sydney. If this sounds like something you would like to get involved in, please contact Shelter NSW Housing Officer, Drew Beacom (drew@shelternsw.org.au)