Social housing in NSW – more than a roof over our heads

This submission is in response to the discussion paper released by the NSW Department of Family and Community Services in November 2014, titled Social Housing in NSW. In this submission, PIAC comments primarily on the following issues raised in the Discussion Paper.

Pillar 1 – A social housing system that provides opportunity and pathways for client independence

– Security of tenure is a pre-requisite for the right to adequate housing;

– Security of tenure is a foundation for tenants achieving independence.

Pillar 2 – A social housing system that is fair- Social housing is already housing the most vulnerable;

– The need for safe, secure, stable social housing for people with lived experience of mental illness and homelessness.

Pillar 3 – A social housing system that is sustainable

– Public housing stock transfers to non-government social housing providers to achieve sustainability;

–  The need to ensure adequate regulation and governance of non-government community housing providers;

– Non-government housing co-operatives as an option to improve social housing sustainability.