Regional Voices Inform Peak’s Position Paper
Community Industry Group was proud to partner with Shelter NSW (NSW peak housing policy and advocacy
body ) to provide opportunity for regional input into its vision of “A secure home for all”.
Shelter NSW CEO, Karen Walsh said, “Our strategic plan commits to the development of a shared
contemporary vision and narrative that defines a sustainable and effective housing system for New South
Wales.”
“Access to safe, secure and affordable housing for people on low income is the biggest issue for our
membership. Social housing has a waiting list in excess of 10 years in the region, and private rental is neither
affordable nor available for people living on income support, ” CEO of the Community Industry Group, Nicky
Sloan said, “So we were very keen for Shelter NS W to come to our region and hear first hand from service
provider s, service users, and people with lived experience of housing hardship to inform their policy
position.”
Around 30 people participated in the roundtable event, and they conveyed the harsh realities of finding, and
keeping, a home in the Illawarra Shoalhaven.
Key messages from participants included.
• A good housing system includes choice of tenures – social housing, private rental and home
ownership. All tenures should be secure and respected.
• Development of more social housing stock in the region which is based on universal design
principles, has security of tenure, is integrated into the wider community and has good transport
links and access to services.
• Policies to protect tenants. P rivate rental has become less secure due to the impact of the ‘sharing
e conomy’. Tenants are often subject to short term leases, no -fault evictions, short term holiday
lettings and ‘seasonal evictions’.
• No selling -off or redevelopment of high -value social housing if it means tenants will be moved to
unsuitable accommodation or ins alubrious or inaccessible areas.
• Incorporate sustainability measures for all types of housing to improve living standards and reduce
energy costs for people on low income.
“It was an absolute honour to hear from regional voices,” Karen Walsh said. ” W e a re continuing our
consultations over the next few weeks, and hope to have a policy Position Paper together before the end of
next month.”
About the Community Industry Group
Community Industry (formerly known as Illawarra Forum) is the peak body working for community services
and organisations in the South East of NSW. It supports community organisations, promotes expertise and
innovation in community development, fosters industry development and provides advocacy for social
justi ce. Community Industry Group is an independent organisation governed by a committee of
management elected annually by the membership.
Community Industry Group represents the non -government community services industry in the South East
of NSW, which consist s of approximately 300 organisations, and works closely with numerous organisations
which provide support to vulnerable people across the region.
