AMANDA STONE - GREENS COUNCILLOR YARRA

AMANDA STONE - GREENS COUNCILLOR -YARRA- RESPONDS TO OUR REPORT CARD 

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

A.  Yes, it should be major component.

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. I have been advocating for an increase to the overall public housing stock in Victoria for many years

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

A. Yes. It provides low cost, means tested, secure and supported housing for those who need it most.

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

A. Yes, a family member and friends have all experienced periods of homelessness for a range of different reasons.
 

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

A. Yes. Residents in particular do not always understand the implications of the different language used to describe different forms of housing and they experience a shock when moving from public to community housing for example.

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

A. I think the difference between the two is poorly understood and that the blurring of language over time has contributed to that. There are characteristics of public housing which are fundamental to large numbers of residents, especially the security and social support, and the importance of this is not well understood.

 
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.Yes they should.  When the need for housing is urgent, people may accept a place which does not best suit their needs. It can be very difficult to move again if a place is not successful.

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

A. Yes. There is a place for both forms of housing. Public housing should be retained in public hands and expanded. Community Housing is also needed in addition to, not instead of,  more public housing.

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

A.Yes. There is vacant public housing land in Richmond which has not been built on despite being available for over 10 years. Part of a Green New Deal COVID Recovery could include new public housing construction at this site.

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

A. Yes

 

Thanks from
FRIENDS OF PUBLIC HOUSING VIC
DEFEND AND EXTEND PUBLIC HOUSING
HANDS OFF PUBLIC HOUSING.