Coasties encouraged

to have their say on rental reform

Peak housing and homelessness bodies, advocacy groups, service providers, unions and social housing tenants have joined forces to collaborate on significant reform to the housing sector as the Minns Labor Government works to get more people into homes.

26 July 2023

 

THE Homes NSW Consultation Forum kicks off a transformation, which will rebuild the social and affordable housing system in NSW as well reducing homelessness with a true housing first approach. This framework prioritises safe and secure housing to create better outcomes for vulnerable people.

 

The creation of the new agency, Homes NSW, brings together the Land and Housing Corporation (LAHC), the Aboriginal Housing Office (AHO) and the Department of Communities Justice (DCJ) housing and homelessness functions to put services under one roof with people at the centre.

 

As part of the reform, the NSW Government is consulting with key stakeholders in a genuine partnership to improve the current system.

 

Minister for Housing and Minister for Homelessness Rose Jackson said, “Homes NSW must be much more than just changing email addresses and new business cards. This is about rebuilding and restructuring the social and affordable housing system in this state.

 

“The NSW Government is taking the housing crisis seriously and we want Homes NSW to be a massive success. Part of that success is listening to the community and taking their feedback on board.

 

“Today we heard from tenants, peak organisations and other stakeholders who all said we need to put people back at the heart of our social housing system – we will listen to them and we will work with them to make sure that happens.

 

“We are delivering on our election commitment to establish Homes NSW. This is a significant opportunity to create a seamless approach to housing with the focus on people front and centre.

 

“Homes NSW is part of a range of initiatives to address the housing crisis and help to reduce homelessness in NSW. Getting it right is an important first step.”

 

People with a lived experience of homelessness and of social and affordable housing are also playing a significant part in the consultation process with their views helping to shape improvements to the system.

 

With over 35% of Gosford residents renting a property, renters on the Central Coast – as well as owners and industry – are being encouraged to make their views count on critical rental system reforms aimed at making renting fairer.

 

Until August 11 Coasties can comment on changes aimed at helping transform the system including:

 

• ending no grounds evictions by requiring a reason to end a lease

 

• making it easier for renters to have pets

 

• protecting renters’ personal information and privacy

 

• making it easier to transfer rental bonds from one property to another

 

• other ways to improve conditions for renters and take the pressure off

 

Member for Gosford, Liesl Tesch MP has welcomed the Minns Labor Government’s landmark rental reforms process, which is already well underway.

 

“It’s tough enough out there for the everyone who rents on the Central Coast, with a tight rental market and unfair and outdated rules only adding to the load," Ms Tesch said.

 

“I’m delighted to see that Central Coast renters, and the broader rental community, can have their voices heard on this important issue.

 

“We want to hear from everyone, because the impact of a fairer set of rules can be far-reaching.

 

“Every Coastie deserves to be heard, so I encourage everyone who wants to see lasting change, in the form of a better, fairer rental system – to use their voice.

 

"It's so gratifying to be seeing real action in rental reform already being undertaken by the NSW Labor Government with the appointment of the first NSW Rental Commissioner, Trina Jones."

 

Community members can make their comments on rental reforms count by submitting responses to this survey before August 11 to Have Your Say.

 

The consultation process is one component of stage two of the Minns Labor Government’s landmark rental reforms process. Stage two of the NSW Government’s rental reform legislation will be introduced by the end of the year.