Housing News Digest
Housing News Digest
The Tenants' Union Housing News Digest compiles our pick of items from all the latest tenancy and housing media, sent once per week, on Thursdays.
Below is the Digest archive from November 2020 onwards. From time to time you will find additional items in the archive that did not make it into the weekly Digest email. Earlier archives are here, where you can also find additional digests by other organisations.
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Archive
Rent debt hangs over San Francisco tenants
Juan Carlos Lara (No paywall)From the United States ... Victor Gomez lives in a $2,000-a-month studio apartment with his partner, their two kids, and his partner’s brother. ... Gomez now owes his landlord more than $10,000 but, without reliable work, he has no idea how much his tab will grow, or how long it will take him to pay it back. ... Thousands of residents are currently in a position similar to Gomez. ... “A shitstorm is the only word I can think of to describe it”. Read the full article. (Mission Local)
https://missionlocal.org/2021/01/rent-debt-hangs-over-san-franci…
# Hot topic International, Eviction, Coronavirus COVID-19.Renting a unit in Sydney or Melbourne? Why it’s time to ask for a rent cut
Richard Whitten (No paywall)With average unit rents falling sharply in Sydney and Melbourne, tenants have more bargaining power now. The median rental prices for apartments in Sydney and Melbourne have fallen over the last few months. Unit rents in Sydney are now at 2013 levels. In Melbourne, unit rents haven't been this low since 2016. This puts apartment renters in Australia's two biggest cities in a position to find lower rent properties or even renegotiate their current leases. (finder.com.au)
https://www.finder.com.au/renting-unit-sydney-melbourne-rent-cut
# TUNSW in the media Australia, Rent, Housing market.'I wrapped myself in a damp towel': Sydneysiders risk health inside hot homes
Andrew Taylor The Sydney Morning Herald (Paywall)Some Sydney residents are living in homes with room temperatures nudging 40 degrees, as climate change raises temperatures and fear of big energy bills stops people from cooling down. ... A Planning Department spokeswoman said the NSW government was working to make social housing more comfortable in summer with measures such as efficient reverse cycle air conditioning, ceiling insulation and draft proofing. “We understand the issue of hot homes, which is why we’re investing in upgrades to social housing, greening urban environments and encouraging better housing standards,” she said.
https://www.smh.com.au/national/i-wrapped-myself-in-a-damp-towel…
# NSW, Public and community housing, Affordable housing, Climate change.Rent arrears:Covid-19 has hit tenants hard with one in seven London renters now behind on payments
Ruth Boomfield (No paywall)From the United Kingdom, the Government is coming under increasing pressure to step in to assist London’s renters after figures showed that more than one in seven tenants in the capital have fallen behind on rent during the pandemic. (Home & Property)
https://www.homesandproperty.co.uk/property-news/renting/rent-ar…
# Hot topic International, Eviction, Rent, Coronavirus COVID-19.The policy risk emerging from the pandemic property price boom
Jennifer Duke The Sydney Morning Herald (Paywall)Louis Christopher is flabbergasted at the surge he has seen in the property market. “It’s surreal,” he says. “Who would have thought the housing market would be up for the year?” ... Housing affordability is tipped to become a hot button issue over the next 12 months. The real wild card at the moment is whether “mum and dad” property investors will return to the market. If they do, it could prompt revived debate about negative gearing and capital gains tax incentives, which [Industry Super Australia chief economist Stephen] Anthony says could be dealt with as part of a reform of housing market incentives. Read on ...
https://www.smh.com.au/politics/federal/the-policy-risk-emerging…
# Australia, Coronavirus COVID-19, Housing market.Western Australian government seizes control of Fremantle's tent city
The Guardian (No paywall)Western Australia’s government has formally seized control of Fremantle’s tent city, ramping up the blame game over the troubled homeless camp. The treasurer and lands minister, Ben Wyatt, has signed a revocation order under the Lands Administration Act removing the City of Fremantle as the management body for Pioneer Park. Responsibility for the park has been granted to the heritage minister, David Templeman, as the government moves to shut down the camp. ... WA’s Department of Communities confirmed it had offered rough sleepers emergency accommodation in response to “serious and growing public safety issues”. ... House the Homeless WA spokesman Jesse Noakes said there had been a systemic failure by the McGowan government to address the state’s housing crisis. “One week’s accommodation is not a solution to homelessness,” he said. “It is a road to nowhere.”
https://www.theguardian.com/australia-news/2021/jan/23/western-a…
# Australia, Homelessness.'The council needs to step up': McGowan demands Fremantle tent city 'end now'
Peter de Kruijff The Sydney Morning Herald (Paywall)West Australian Premier Mark McGowan has accused the Fremantle council of prolonging a homeless camp in the port city while calling for 'tent city' to "end now".
https://www.smh.com.au/politics/western-australia/the-council-ne…
# Australia, Homelessness, Local Government.Western Sydney residents furious about two towers set to exceed approved height limit
Lydia Fend ABC (No paywall)Western Sydney residents are furious plans to increase the height of a major residential development have been given the green light, despite concerns about overdevelopment and congestion. The concept plan for two 15-storey apartment buildings at Wentworth Point means they will be almost double in height compared to neighbouring buildings, which reach a limit of nine storeys.
https://www.abc.net.au/news/2021-01-22/western-sydney-residents-…
# NSW, Local Government, Planning and development.