Renters' Rights and Affordable Housing Stakeholder Forum
Wednesday 7 February 2024
MEDIA RELEASE
INNER WEST DEPUTY MAYOR CHLOE SMITH
Inner West Council is proud to hold the first Renters' Rights and Affordable Housing Stakeholder Forum tomorrow at the Marrickville Pavilion at Marrickville Library. 41% of the Inner West population are renters. Renters’ rights and the need for more affordable housing are some of the biggest issues facing our community.
“The Inner West is at the epicentre of the housing crisis. We have one of the highest proportions of renters in the state, record low vacancy rates, and a severe shortage of affordable housing. Many in our community, particularly young people, are finding it increasingly difficult to afford to call the Inner West home,” says Deputy Mayor, Chloe Smith.
This forum has been framed around three policy challenges that Inner West Council has recently developed in this area:
A. How can we increase social, community and affordable housing with good amenity, across the Inner West?
B. How do we deliver housing for key workers in the Inner West?
C. The need for legislative and regulatory change to protect renters’ rights
Speakers on the panel include Trina Jones, NSW Rental Commissioner, John Engeler, Shelter NSW, Estelle Grech, Committee for Sydney, Professor Nicole Gurran, USYD.
The panel will be co- facilitated by Deputy Mayor Chloe Smith and Councillor Dylan Griffiths and will open with a series of questions centred around the policy challenges. A public discussion and contributions from the audience will follow.
The panel will welcome discussion on recent planning developments such as the Transit Oriented Development SEPP, debates around heritage conservation/housing affordability and the Housing Australia Future Fund.
Council has invited a wide range of stakeholders to the forum, including community housing providers, tenancy advocates, community legal centres, academics, government representatives, NGO representatives, and many other individuals and groups who have been involved in campaigning for more affordable housing and/or renters’ rights.
“Our council needs to play a constructive role in addressing these challenges so we can ensure our community is a vibrant, diverse, and affordable place for people to live. We want young people, key workers, and low-income households to be able to live and work here.
“This forum will bring together experts and key stakeholders to help our council develop meaningful and practical solutions for our local community,” said Deputy Mayor Chloe Smith.
For media enquiries please contact Margaret Merten, margaret.merten@innerwest.nsw.gov.au