The City of Sydney, in partnership with 13 community housing and advocacy groups, is urging the Minns Government to immediately overhaul state rental legislation, warning that renters across New South Wales are facing mounting financial and housing stress.

Calling on the NSW Government to urgently address the housing crisis for those living in rental accommodation, Lord Mayor of Sydney, Clover Moore says housing supply alone will not make housing affordable.

“In our local area alone, 20,000 households are spending more than 30% of their income on rent. The lack of affordable housing is also contributing to an increase in the number of people sleeping rough across Sydney.”

Though renters make up around a third of all households across NSW and 60% of households in Sydney, even those who consistently pay their rent face uncertainty, with inadequate reforms on no fault evictions.

The Lord Mayor is seeking stronger protections, limits on excessive rent hikes, properly maintained rental properties, and affordable housing tied to income rather than fluctuating market rates.

“Affordable housing needs to be genuinely affordable… and remain affordable forever, not just for 15 years,” she says. “Boarding houses and diverse accommodation can be a last resort for many renters, yet also a great source of support and community – these forms of housing also need greater protections.”

The push follows a round table involving more than 40 representatives from housing providers, NSW government agencies, community groups and peak bodies, renters and members of the City of Sydney’s Housing for All Advisory Panel.

“Well-maintained, secure, and affordable housing benefits everyone. We call on the NSW Government to provide greater affordable housing and better protections, rights and security of tenure for renters and boarding house residents,” notes Redfern Legal Centre CEO, Camilla Pandolfini.

Observing that the current situation was pushing people into homelessness, Kate Timmins, CEO, B Miles Women's Foundation says, “Too many people are forced to navigate a rental system that leaves them vulnerable to unpredictable rent increases and unfair evictions.”

NSW Tenants’ Union CEO, Leo Patterson Ross says the proposed reforms would ensure renting in the city and across the state becomes fair, affordable and dignified. “These proposals will make a difference to the more than two million people renting in NSW and be life-changing for some households facing the toughest housing situations.”

Rental reforms sought by the organisations include improving autonomy, rights and protections for renters, particularly around unfair evictions, rent increases, and repairs and maintenance; ensuring local government affordable housing schemes apply in any state significant developments; mandating the use of income-based rent for affordable housing; and improving security of tenure and living standards for renters and boarding house residents among others.

The 13 signatories include B Miles Women's Foundation, Bridge Housing, Common Equity, Community Housing Industry Association NSW (CHIA), Counterpoint Community Services, Newtown Mission - Uniting Church, Redfern Legal Centre, Shelter NSW, Stucco Co-operative Ltd, Tenants' Union of NSW, Wesley Mission, Women’s Housing Company, Wyanga Aboriginal Aged Care, and Housing for All Advisory Panel.

Image source: The City of Sydney | Photo: Spriongfield1

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