REDwatch Community Forum – public, social and affordable housing in the inner city
Sydney’s inner city suburbs of Waterloo, Redfern, Eveleigh, Erskineville and Glebe are home to large and historically significant public housing communities; communities currently the target of very large redevelopment programs. Shelter NSW was happy to attend and participate in a panel examining the major party offerings relevant to these local areas.
The group heard from Shadow Minister Rose Jackson from Labor, Chris Rath MLC from the Liberal Government and Jenny Leong MP, Greens spokesperson for Housing & Homeless and MP for Newtown.
Shelter NSW Senior Policy Officer Cathy Callaghan was pleased to present Shelter’s State Election Platform and put key questions to the politicians. You can read more about Shelter’s summary of the party platforms in this South Sydney Herald article – I Rent and I Vote (Shelter’s rally cry for the election).
The pool of older renters is growing
Recent research launched by Ageing on the Edge indicates the rise of older people renting or still paying off mortgages in retirement and an increasingly stressed experience.
The analysis comes after the NSW Government failed to support key recommendations from its own Inquiry into Homelessness among people older than 55. It did not for example, support the Inquiry’s recommendations that it provide a specific housing and support service for older people, and to lower the priority age for social housing.
People aged over 55 in 2021 (versus 2011) in a tight rental market:
- 240,000 renting privately (+ 100,000)
- 11.2% private renters (up from 8.5%)
- Of these private renters, 26% were in the lowest income quintile and had household incomes less than $40,000 per year.
In Sydney over the last 12 months, the rental asking price for a two-bedroom unit has increased by 24% to $616 per week.
Affordable Housing 2023 and Beyond: Why Design Matters
Addressing climate change, reducing emissions and providing for a sustainable built environment consistently rate as the number one issue for architects, according to the Australian Institute of Architects (NSW Chapter).
Shelter NSW was pleased to attend a recent event addressing these issues and specifically, the need for affordable, well-designed homes and communities. Speakers included major party representatives as well as speakers from urban planning and landscape architecture.
We commend the Institute for its considered 2023 NSW Election Priorities and thank them for their adoption of key Shelter NSW election platform asks.
