Inner West to provide emergency funding for renters' legal representation

Friday 12 July 2024

Media release
Inner West Mayor Darcy Byrne and Deputy Mayor Chloe Smith

Inner West Council is providing an emergency payment of $125,000 to Marrickville Legal Centre to help meet the unprecedented demand for legal advice and representation for renters and people escaping domestic violence in the Inner West.

The request for funding from the legal centre comes after they delivered legal advice to almost 1,500 renters last year.

More than 700 clients had to be referred on to other services for additional support because of the legal centre not having the capacity to assist due to the extraordinary demand.

The $125,000 emergency payment will be used to assist Inner West residents who are:

1. Fighting excessive rent increases.
2. Opposing unfair evictions and dealing with retaliatory actions by landlords.
3. Escaping domestic violence.

Inner West Mayor Darcy Byrne said Council couldn't stand by and watch while more and more renters were unfairly evicted as a result of not being represented.

"Marrickville Legal Service provides invaluable support to tenants, but they simply don't have the resources to deal with the flood of renters needing help with unfair evictions," Byrne said.

"We are stepping in with this funding to make sure that renters and people escaping domestic violence in the Inner West aren't left without legal advice and representation.

"The need for Council to provide this funding is yet another sign of how dire the rental crisis has become in Sydney."

Deputy Mayor Chloe Smith said, "The Inner West is home to some of the highest proportions of renters in NSW. We also have some of the least affordable housing anywhere in the country."

"Our community is feeling the impact of the housing crisis and rising rents keenly. As a young person and a renter, I feel it's imperative that all levels of government work together to be part of the solution.

"We're working to deliver much-needed housing, including social and affordable housing, in partnership with community housing providers, faith groups, and governments. And we are committed to meaningful advocacy to make renting fairer.

"This funding is one practical contribution we can make to support renters and people doing it tough in our community."

Marrickville Legal Centre CEO Vasili Maroulis said the service had witnessed a dramatic increase in the demand for legal support related to rental and housing issues.

"The ongoing housing crisis, exacerbated by rising rent costs and frequent no-grounds evictions, has left many in our community in desperate need of assistance.

"Our Inner West Tenants' Advice and Advocacy Service has been inundated with cases, highlighting the critical need for our services.

"This financial support from Inner West Council will have a significant impact on our ability to serve the community to meet the massive increase in demand for support on rental and housing issues.

"The work Marrickville Legal Centre does is vital for ensuring that vulnerable and disadvantaged renters in our community have access to the legal support they need."

Ends

For media enquiries please contact Jonny Browne, Jonny.Browne@innerwest.nsw.gov.au