Comments on: Measures to start addressing affordable rental housing https://www.openforum.com.au/measures-to-start-addressing-affordable-rental-housing/ Open Forum offers an independent platform for Australian debate Tue, 19 Dec 2023 21:24:05 +0000 hourly 1 https://wordpress.org/?v=4.9.25 By: GeoffB https://www.openforum.com.au/measures-to-start-addressing-affordable-rental-housing/#comment-733 Sun, 09 Nov 2008 22:10:22 +0000 http://staging.openforum.com.au/blog/measures-to-start-addressing-affordable-rental-housing/#comment-733 Affordable rental accommodation

I left a comment on Tanya Plibersek's blog that when I became an Aged Carer I lost $33.03 a fortnight, because I was now counted as a Sharer. As a result the $1400 both the person I care for and I will receive in December will go on moving costs, as we can no longer afford to live in the Blue Mountains, and will need to find somewhere even more remote from the services she requires.

I asked Tanya Plibersek for a home loan; an amount of $85,000, as well as one for the person I Care for, and we would quite happily find a rural setting, and either buy an existing house, or build one, but not together, as the rules will then say we are in a relationship, which we are not. I asked Tanya to respond to this idea, especially as the money would go directly to someone who needed it for housing, not to someone who may already have a $40 million house on Sydney harbour to maintain, and repayments directly from our pensions. To date she has not responded, which I put down as a problem with those who have grand plans, but lack the ability to see the small picture.

I see the need for more public and community housing, however I do not see a need for such housing to always be situated in the city. What percentage of new public and community housing is it envisaged will be built in more rural areas, and what steps will be taken to ensure the safety of the more vulnerable residents from other 'not so vulnerable' residents. Will this housing be spread throughout the community, or will it be the usual estate type arrangement?

In our case we are not currently on the housing list, in fact we are probably on a banned list, after not being able to take up an offer of public housing because we could not afford to move in. We did not have the means to give notice and move from one house to another. The advice offered by the Department of Housing was to default on the bond, in short to give up 20+ years of good references. When we refused we were removed from the housing list. Perhaps I should have abused the housing official, as during our only visit to the housing office I observed that those who stood at the counter and abused the person serving them, seemed to walk out with whatever it was they wanted.

Which leads to the question, what happens to the 'meek' those who do not stand at the counter and shout abuse, do they get to stay in the general community, and get to move further and further from necessary services simply because they will look after whatever housing they are given, but are at the mercy of those who do not care.

I wonder if I will get a response from you?

]]>
By: homes4aussies https://www.openforum.com.au/measures-to-start-addressing-affordable-rental-housing/#comment-728 Sat, 08 Nov 2008 02:50:25 +0000 http://staging.openforum.com.au/blog/measures-to-start-addressing-affordable-rental-housing/#comment-728 Well said Andrew
I agree completely. The only thing I would add is that the NRAS should also be expedited and expanded as a part of any stimulus package. The first call for tender offers received applications to build around 10,500 dwellings but funds were only available for 3,500. It is a crying shame that low income Australians are being squeezed so tight by skyrocketing rents – with some becoming homeless as a consequence – when there are business and organisatons willing and able to provide more affordable rental housing with a bit more Government support! Such measures are by far and away better economic and social policies than gimmicks such as the first home owner boost.

]]>