Post Covid social and affordable housing recovery
Our post Covid economic recovery should include large scale investment in social and affordable housing. NSW can fast track building infrastructure that will provide a buffer to the most disadvantaged in the post Covid economic and social downturn by building and renovating homes that people can afford. A state led affordable housing boost will support the construction industry by building urgently needed social and affordable housing, not fast-tracking private developer projects with no positive community outcomes. Social and affordable housing should be funded as urgent infrastructure with government investment providing a safeguard against increasing social disadvantage. We believe that the following initiatives will ensure that housing is affordable, sustainable and available to those who need it and are most impacted by the economic downturn facing us all. Large scale investment in building social and affordable housing including 30,000 social homes per year for 10 years 100% social and affordable housing on public land - reject Communities Plus housing formula and audit all available state land and properties No sell off of public land or public housing Councils to be funded to fast track Local Housing Strategies and Affordable Housing Policies to prioritise and maximise affordable housing Mandate 30% affordable housing on private housing developments End no grounds evictions and provide post Covid rent relief funding and continued moratorium on evictions with no arrears debt. Housing First approach to homelessness with no limit on temporary accommodation and increase in funding for specialist services and support. Zero emissions housing and retrofitting of existing housing Reform private student accommodation and build-to-rent planning instruments NSW has a large social and affordable housing deficit with a 10 year waiting list for social housing. The recent Equity Economics report commissioned by NCOSS, “A Wave of Disadvantage across NSW: Impact of the Covid-19 Recession” offers some extremely concerning statistics including a 24% increase in families experiencing housing stress and the same increase statewide in individuals experiencing homelessness with some regions in the state experiencing a 40% increase. The Anglicare Rental Affordability Update from August this year indicated that ‘renters are on the frontline of the Coronavirus pandemic.’ The findings show that a person who is unemployed can only afford 1% percent of rentals – and that’s with the increased Job Seeker payments. With Job Seeker reduced, affordable rental availability will plummet with only 13 rental listings out of 77,000 being affordable. Everybody’s Home is calling for 500,000 social and affordable homes nationally by 2026 and 5,000 social homes per year for 10 years in NSW.
Glebe and Eveleigh social housing redevelopments shortchange the public
The government’s announcement of two social housing redevelopments in Glebe and Eveleigh are designed to open up valuable public land to private development rather than to maximize the development of new social and affordable housing says NSW Greens MPs, Jenny Leong and Jamie Parker.
Jenny Leong MP on the State Budget
Next week the Treasurer will be handing down the state budget and Jenny Leong MP highlighted the need for a budget that addresses the current health crisis and the climate crisis as well as putting well-being, sustainability and equality of access for everyone in our community at its core.
A Win for Renewable Energy in NSW
The Electricity Infrastructure Investment Bill 2020 is a much needed bill and a huge step towards ensuring NSW can transition to renewable energy in the time needed to help address the climate crisis. However, Jenny Leong MP reinforced the Greens commitment to public ownership of assets and ensuring an equitable transition and noted that The Greens would support the Bill but seek to amend it.
Retirement Village Reforms
The NSW Greens support the Retirement Villages Amendment Bill 2020 and welcome the reforms that would "seek to address the disgraceful rorts in the industry". Jenny acknowledged that we need to recognise the specific needs of our diverse multicultural communities, as well as the LGBTQI+ communities in our cities to make sure that as they age there are appropriate options for them to be able to have safe and secure affordable places to live. She also emphasised the need to look at investing in Aboriginal aged care and housing facilities that are appropriate and designed and run by Elders in those communities for other Elders in those communities.
Bill To Clean Up iCare
Yesterday, 12 November 2020, Jenny Leong MP introduced a bill to stop the corrupt tendering practices that have been exposed at the workers compensation nominal insurer iCare.
Jenny Leong welcomes important domestic violence reforms
Greens Member for Newtown, Jenny Leong MP has welcomed government reforms which strengthen protections for victim-survivors of domestic and family violence during court processes.
Community Environmental Monitoring Project
We’re supporting a community run air quality monitoring project that will increase the visibility and community awareness of the quality of the air we breathe.
Supporting the recovery of Sydney night-time economy and night-time culture
Sydney nightlife was already damaged by the lockout laws prior to the COVID-19 pandemic, so it is clear that the sector needs significant assistance to recover post-pandemic. Jenny Leong MP spoke in support of the Liquor Amendment (24-hour Economy) Bill 2020 but emphasised that it does not go far enough and much more needs to be done to rebuild our vibrant, local hospitality and live music scene.
Revenge Porn Amendments
Jenny Leong MP welcomed proposed amendments that would cover situations where someone threatens to use a person's image, aka 'revenge porn'. Currently, this is not an offence and there are no proceedings or take-down orders available in relation to threats around this. This fix is very welcome and will have a huge impact on many people's lives.
Toll Free Periods
The Roads Amendment (Toll-Free Period) Bill was debated in Parliament on the 15 October 2020 and Jenny Leong MP spoke on behalf of the Greens. The Greens' view is that this legislation does not really hit the mark. Instead, it skirts the edges of a deeper and more systemic problem with privatised toll roads and the collection of privatised tolls on behalf of private corporations. This bill would potentially have the unfortunate side effect of inducing further demand for toll roads instead of moving people out of private vehicles and onto public transport. It is effectively a government cash handout straight to corporations.
Solidarity with Trans and Gender Diverse Communities
A motion in support of trans and gender diverse folks passed NSW Parliament with unanimous support. The motion makes it clear that trans and gender diverse people are welcome in our parliaments, schools, universities, workplaces, on our sporting fields and in our venues because they are an integral and valued part of our community. They deserve to live free from fear, discrimination, vilification and attack.
Older women at increased risk of homelessness
Jenny Leong MP made a Private Members' Statement in Parliament to draw attention to the increased risk or poverty and homelessness that older women are currently facing. She called on the Government to act to address this growing crisis, as older women's homelessness is often invisible or overlooked.
Cuts to refugee supports mean hundreds could be left homeless
There are fears that hundreds of refugees living in community detention could be left homeless, after the Federal Government cut housing and income support. We have written to the NSW Premier, urging her to raise concerns with the Federal Government, as it will be NSW health, housing and community support agencies who will be left to deal with the social and economic impacts of this decision.
Saving our koalas from extinction
A few weeks ago, we were so happy to see the announcement that there would be a new Great Koala National Park on the mid north coast. However, since then, the tantrum from the National Party has put koala protection in serious jeopardy.
