Everyone deserves access to a safe, affordable and secure home. Homes should be for people to live in, not a speculative investment to make money. The Greens have the courage and vision to implement measures to ensure everyone who needs a home can afford one.
Sydney housing is just plain unaffordable. Rents have soared and renters rights are amongst the weakest in the developed world. House prices are astronomically high in Sydney and still unaffordable in many NSW cities and in the regions. Young people have quite simply been locked out of the market.
Both Liberal and Labor Governments have sold off public housing in the inner-city and elsewhere. Waiting lists are growing, and people are being pushed out.
We love the diversity of the inner-city. Students, artists and low-income workers are a vital part of our community. We don’t want a city divided by income and wealth. We need housing policies that make everyone welcome.
The Greens are fighting for affordable housing both here in NSW and at a federal level. We have an achievable plan that will ensure housing is within reach for everyone:
- The Greens believe housing should be a universal right. Just like Medicare and our public school system, everyone should be able to apply for social housing if they need it. Social housing should be a desirable and realistic alternative to taking out a mortgage or renting for life in the private market. The Greens will grow the housing stock to make homes available to people most in need and those on higher incomes who choose to be part of our universal housing scheme. Read more here.
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Rental properties are people’s homes, and renters deserve the same security and quality of life as homeowners. But our current rental laws allow dodgy landlords to maximise their returns, at the expense of people’s security and safety. The Greens will give people who rent in NSW a better deal. Read more here.
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The Greens support a ‘Housing First’ approach, whereby housing will be provided for people who become homeless and additional needs are met with ongoing and professional support.
People experiencing homelessness will be offered social housing for as long as they require it. Read more here. - Our Cool Homes, Cool Planet initiative will mean that every home, new or old, will be zero emissions by 2030. Zero emissions houses will be easier to cool in summer and warm in winter. Every private home will make the transition to a pollution-free future by 2030, with appropriate support for households. Read more here.
- All local councils in NSW should have the ability to progress initiatives that increase the supply of affordable housing in local government areas. Initiatives such as inclusionary zoning and an Empty Homes Levy are important to grow affordable housing. Read more here.
- Investing in housing means making a large investment – as well it should. Guaranteeing affordable, stable and sustainable housing to everybody is one of the most important things we can do as a society. This is a productive investment that will create positive social and financial returns for decades to come. Read more here.
Jenny Leong MP is the NSW Greens spokesperson for Housing, and works closely with Senator Mehreen Faruqi who holds the housing portfolio for the Australian Greens.
*Authorised by Jenny Leong 383 King St Newtown 2042. Funded using Parliamentary entitlements.
