RESPONSES FROM CARETAKER MAYOR of MONASH COUNCIL -STUART JAMES

 

Many thanks to Stuart James, Caretaker Mayor of Monash Council who thanked us for reaching out 

and gave the following responses to Friends of Public Housing Victoria's Report Card.

FOPHV REPORT CARD

Q1. Do you support Public Housing as an integral part of the housing mix?    

 A.  Yes

Q2. 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.    Too low

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

A.    On face value, yes, but I’d like to discuss this further.

Q4. Have you or anyone in your family or friendship circle ever been homeless?    

A.   No.

Q5. Do you think the language regarding the various housing models should be more transparent?      

A.   Yes.

Q6. Do you think the issue of Public Housing versus Community Housing has been sufficiently discussed in the       public domain?              

A. No.

Q7. Do you think public tenants and those eligible for public housing have been sufficiently informed of the differences between  Community and Public Housing and of their rights and protections?            

A. I don’t know enough about this to be able to answer, however I would expect that protections and rights would be clearly explained to them to enable them to make the appropriate choices or seek assistance.    

Q8. Do you oppose the transferring of Public Housing stock to Community Housing corporations?               

A.   Very much so. Public housing is a community asset to assist the homeless and vulnerable and should remain   in public ownership.

Q9. Do you support a significant build of Public Housing in your area to address homelessness?     

A.    Yes, and sooner rather than later.

Q10. Would public land that is being earmarked for private and 'Social Housing’ be better utilised for Public Housing?                

A.  Largely depends on land ownership, but I think it’s worth a genuine and open conversation with stakeholders 

Any further comments you wish to make are welcome and will be published.

"The investment in to public housing over the past few decades has been absolutely abysmal and grossly inadequate. It is unconscionable to me that given the economic boom times we have been through that the percentage of people waiting for public housing has dramatically increased. As a taxpayer, it is also insulting that tax cuts are being handed out to fund an extra coffee or two a week whilst people live under bridges. Every single person in Australia deserves to have basic necessities such as food and shelter. The fact these absolutely fundamental human rights continue to be unaddressed, and more concerningly with the number growing at an alarming rate, are an embarrassment to our nation."

Thankyou from

FRIENDS OF PUBLIC HOUSING VICTORIA 

DEFEND AND EXTEND PUBLIC HOUSING 

HANDS OFF PUBLIC HOUSING