Submission: In response to the Department of Family and Community Services Discussion Paper on Social Housing in NSW

RLC assists and advises many clients who have problems accessing the public housing system, getting the assistance they need to maintain their tenancies and transferring to suitable accommodation when their current accommodation places them at risk or does not meet their medical needs.

RLC has assisted a large number of tenants to assert their right to repairs in social housing properties and to appeal decisions about their eligibility and urgency of their housing need – issues that recur frequently in a system that does not have the resources to maintain properties and meet growing housing demand.  

RLC believes that a fair and sustainable social housing system is one that supports low-income and disadvantaged tenants and one that has the capacity to support the growing demand for affordable, appropriate housing in NSW.

A sustainable housing system prioritises security of tenure, recognises the importance of support from housing providers to maintain tenancies and provides decision makers discretion to look at an individual’s circumstances in any decision.

RLC's view is that the retention of public housing in our area and around the state is vital if the social housing system is to continue to assist those experiencing disadvantage to meet their housing needs.

RLC's submission addresses the questions posed in the Discussion Paper and its views about each question are summarised throughout the paper.

You can read the NSW Government's discussion paper here.

Accompanying RLC's written response to the Discussion Paper is a video of the stories of social housing tenants and their perspectives on the issues raised in the Paper.

The video, titled 'A response to the 2015 Social Housing Discussion Paper', was produced in conjunction with Marrickville Legal Centre.