CATHERINE NOONE -INDEPENDENT CANDIDATE FOR YARRA

CATHERINE NOONE -INDEPENDENT CANDIDATE FOR YARRA- 

RESPONDS TO OUR REPORT CARD

 

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

A.  Absolutely.

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. Too low

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

A. Yes, alongside other supports and systemic change.

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

A. Yes.

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

A. Yes.

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

A. No. As with the previous question, language can be used as a tool to shape discussions to suit different purposes. Clearer communication about housing issues is needed.

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.

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

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

A.Yes.

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

   Thank you for raising these issues and continuing to advocate for public housing. The voices of people in public housing must be heard and considered in decision making. While many of the issues highlighted by the current pandemic are not new for a lot of people, housing and social issues are going to need extra support, advocacy and planning. Council will have to work with the community and other levels of government to ensure better ongoing outcomes for people in Yarra, regardless of their type of housing.

Thanks from

FRIENDS OF PUBLIC HOUSING VIC

DEFEND AND EXTEND PUBLIC HOUSING

HANDS OFF PUBLIC HOUSING
 

GABRIELLE DE VIETRI - GREENS CANDIDATE FOR YARRA

GABRIELLE DE VIETRI - GREENS CANDIDATE FOR YARRA - 

RESPONDS TO OUR REPORT CARD

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

A. Public housing is an essential part of the housing mix, and should be supported, improved and increased. In planning for the needs of our growing community, I will advocate for better and more public housing. I will advocate for increasing public housing in Yarra as well as maintaining and upgrading existing public housing and associated facilities. Every person should have enough space to live in, access to amenities that are in good, functioning order, and culturally and linguistically appropriate services available to them. In response to calls from public housing residents in Yarra, I will also advocate for the establishment of a charter of rights for public housing tenants, including the establishment of a dedicated Public Housing Ombudsman to handle issues, concerns and complaints from public housing residents. I will encourage and promote tenant participation in decisions about public housing services. I believe that in order to adequately service public housing communities, the function of Public Housing should be removed from the Department of Health and Human Services and into a new statutory Public Housing Authority. In advocating for new and existing public housing communities, I will promote the importance of significant open space and I will support the adaptation of public housing to mitigate the effects of climate change, such as heat stress.


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. 2.7% is much too low. I will strongly support opportunities to increase the amount of public housing in Yarra.


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

A. Yes. Other proposed private models lack transparency and are unaffordable for those who need it most.


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

A.Yes, I have supported friends through periods of homelessness and understand some of the complexities that accompany homelessness.


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

A. See 7.

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

A. No, there is little public awareness or understanding of the vast differences between the terms.

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, these differences must be clear and delivered in appropriate and diverse languages. Prospective tenants must be supported to understand the conditions of the tenancy and whether it is appropriate for their situation.

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

A. Yes. I will oppose the sell-off of public housing sites in Yarra, and oppose the conversion of public housing to "social", "community" or "affordable" housing. I will oppose the privatisation of public housing by the State Government. I believe there is also the need for affordable housing stock, but it should not replace the provision of public housing.

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

A. Yes. I will support opportunities to build more public housing in Yarra.

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

A. Yes, there is a dire need for more Public Housing to meet the needs of low-income earners and people facing homelessess.

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

I am proud to be running for Council on a joint Greens ticket with Anab Mohamud, who is a public housing resident and a true leader of the community.The Yarra Green's public housing policies are can be found in our "Care for People" and "Built Environment" policies, here: https://greens.org.au/vic/lga/yarra

Thanks from

FRIENDS OF PUBLIC HOUSING VIC

DEFEND AND EXTEND PUBLIC HOUSING

HANDS OFF PUBLIC HOUSING

CARMEN LAHIFF-JENKINS, REASON PARTY CANDIDATE FOR DAREBIN

CARMEN LAHIFF-JENKINS - REASON PARTY CANDIDATE FOR DAREBIN - RESPONDS TO OUR REPORT CARD

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

A.Absolutely!


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.Too low!


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

A. YES!


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

A.Yes.


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

A.Yes, I really do!


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

A. Absolutely not, people always confuse the two. People utilising public housing should be well informed and consulted. They are not. It’s disempowering and does not service this community appropriately.


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. Of course! Again, people utilising public housing should be empowered within this service to influence it.

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

A. Yes, Public housing stock needs replenishing.

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

A. Yes, absolutely.

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

A. Yes, public housing stock has been undermined and diminished while need has risen. Community housing is also important but they are not the same thing, for the same groups.

Thanks from

FRIENDS OF PUBLIC HOUSING VIC

DEFEND AND EXTEND PUBLIC HOUSING

HANDS OFF PUBLIC HOUSING

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

MINWEN WU - INDEPENDENT CANDIDATE - WHITEHORSE

"VOTE FOR WHO? MR WU!"  says Mr Wu 

who has assured his electorate that he is not a Chinese spy!

 Mr Wu did not respond to our Report Card, but wrote to us with this message. 

Hi FOPHV,

My apology for not being able for now to delve into the world of social housing, public housing and community housing etc. 

All I can say for now is: 

1. I promise I will research extensively and consult you on this issue in detail if elected. 

2. I've met & made friends with some homeless people in Box Hill central. 

3. Housing is basic human rights to each and every Australian. 

Who cares? WU cares!

Best Regards

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

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.
 

SANTI WHITESIDE - INDEPENDENT CANDIDATE- WHITEHORSE

 SANTI WHITESIDE RESPONDS TO OUR REPORT CARD

 

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

A. Yes

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.Too low

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

A. Yes but in conjunction with other initiatives

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

A. No
 

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

A. Yes
 

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

A. No
 

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
 

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

A. Yes

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

A. Yes but more analysis and information needed to decide the most effective locations.

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

A. Yes

Additional comments welcome and will be published.

"Thank you for your email concerning this very important issue."

Thanks from

Friends of Public Housing Vic

Defend and Extend Public Housing

Hands Off Public Housing