JESSICA SULLIVAN - INDEPENDENT CANDIDATE- DAREBIN

JESSICA SULLIVAN- INDEPENDENT CANDIDATE FOR DAREBIN -RESPONDS TO OUR REPORT CARD
 

1. Do you support Public Housing as an integral part of the housing mix?

A. Yes, Public Housing plays a vital part in supporting our community and it is too often overlooked when Council/State planning and development officials are designing our future infrastructure and amenities.

2. In Victoria, Public Housing as distinct from Community Housing, makes up 2.7% of all housing. Is this too high? Is this too low?

A.Far too low, the wait lists for Public Housing were so long that it was unsustainable before the pandemic. Post-pandemic the demand is only going to increase further.

3. Is Public Housing the best model for preventing and addressing homelessness?
 

A. Yes, in conjunction with increasing the rate of social support payments and making sure that other social service programs are sufficiently funded and easily accessible.

4. Have you or anyone in your family or friendship circle ever been homeless? 

A. Yes, I'm grateful that they did not have to sleep rough but I know several people who have been without stable housing and had to sleep in their cars, "couch surf" amongst friends and stay at shelters. Sleeping rough is the most confronting form of homelessness and naturally requires the most support, but governments choose to overlook the statistics of other forms of homelessness to downplay how prevalent homelessness is in Australia.

5. Do you think the language regarding the various housing models should be more transparent?

A.Yes, people need to understand that there is a big difference between public housing (state run), community housing (NFP run) and 'affordable housing' (arbitrary concept). All levels of Government blur the line between these housing models when it is convenient to them.

6. Do you think the issue of Public Housing versus Community Housing has been sufficiently discussed in the public domain?
 

A. No. The State Governments advertise Community Housing as being similar to Public Housing with rents capped at 25-30% of income, except that CH is run by not-for-profits while PH is run by the States. However many people would be shocked to learn that CH providers often charge tenants additional fees on top of rent which can greatly increase the percentage of the tenants' income that goes to housing and push them into rental stress.

7. Should public tenants and those eligible for public housing be sufficiently informed of the differences between Community and Public Housing and of their rights and protections?

A. Absolutely, it is shocking that this is not already standard procedure.

8. Do you oppose the transferring of Public Housing stock to Community Housing corporations?
 

A. Yes, this is a bell that cannot be unrung. First and foremost, we must remember that PH isn't just a bunch of building 'Assets' on the State's Balance Sheet, but peoples' homes where they have formed a connection to the local community.  When the Public Housing is sold off to Community Housing operators, the costs to tenants can go up and the rules regarding their tenancy can change without their consent, this puts these people at a risk of being evicted and displaced. Community Housing does have a place in the housing mix, but it should be in addition to Public Housing never as a replacement.

9. Do you support a significant build of Public Housing in your area to address homelessness?
 

A. Yes, and I will strongly oppose any further sell-off off PH within Darebin as it will negatively affect the wellbeing of our residents.

10. Would public land that is being earmarked for private and 'Social Housing’ be better utilised for Public Housing?
 

A.Yes. 

Further comments welcome and will be published.

 "Hi FOPHV team,
Thank you for your email and the opportunity to answer your questions. I appreciate all the advocacy work that FOPHV has done to support people in public housing, to educate everyone about different housing models and to keep everyone informed about the State Government's sale of Public Housing."

Thanks from

FRIENDS OF PUBLIC HOUSING VIC

DEFEND AND EXTEND PUBLIC HOUSING

HANDS OFF PUBLIC HOUSING