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
In the first lockdown, England proved it could end homelessness. Why not now?
Francisco Garcia The Guardian (No paywall)From the United Kingdom ... A few months had passed since the implementation in March of 'Everyone In', the scheme to temporarily house rough sleepers in self-contained accommodation during the first wave of the pandemic, including in newly deserted hotels and hostels. The homelessness charity Crisis called it extraordinary, while others lined up to congratulate the government on its unusually bold course of action to shelter thousands of society’s most vulnerable people. An article in the Lancet estimated that the measures prevented more than 21,000 infections and 266 deaths. Simply put, Everyone In saved lives. But the scheme didn’t even last the year. [Read on ...]
https://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2021/jan/10/first-lock…
# Must read International, Coronavirus COVID-19, Homelessness.Legal topics for older people Diary 2021
(No paywall)The Legal Topics for Older People Diary 2021 provides information about seniors rights, consumer law, aged care, community phone numbers and a list of agencies and services for older people. Check out September where theme is 'Your home: owning, renting and neighbours'. Pre-orders open on 11 January 2021. Go to: [https://www.legalaid.nsw.gov.au/publications/order-a-publication] View an electronic copy of the diary here.
https://publications.legalaid.nsw.gov.au/PublicationsResourcesSe…
# NSW, Older people.Scottish government extends eviction ban until end of March
Lucie Heath Inside Housing (Paywall)Evictions will not be enforced in Scotland until the end of March, with the Scottish government deciding to extend a ban in response to a surge in COVID-19 cases. ... The Scottish government first introduced a ban on eviction notices being enforced on 11 December as part of a Christmas truce, but the rules were initially due to end on 22 January. Going forward the ban will apply to all evictions in areas subject to Tier 3 or 4 restrictions, except those involving criminal or serious anti-social behaviour, such as domestic abuse.
https://www.insidehousing.co.uk/news/news/scottish-government-ex…
# Hot topic International, Eviction, Rent, Coronavirus COVID-19.Irish pub warns Sirius developer to noise-proof apartments
Matt O'Sullivan The Sydney Morning Herald (Paywall)The operators of a century-old pub in The Rocks who plan to build a rooftop bar and restaurant have urged the developer of the nearby Sirius building to properly noise-proof apartments to avoid residents complaining about their live-music venue. ... The NSW government sold the Sirius building in 2019 to JDH Capital for $150 million. The sale followed a four-year community campaign to save the building from demolition. ... The City of Sydney, which "generally supported" the plans for the Sirius, aired concerns in its submission that the proposal did not offer affordable housing.
https://www.smh.com.au/national/nsw/irish-pub-warns-sirius-devel…
# NSW, Public and community housing, Affordable housing, Heritage listings.How COVID-19 impacts homelessness in Australia
ABC (No paywall)COVID-19 changed the way we live at home. But how did it change for those who don't have a home? And is our definition of “homeless” an accurate reflection of what’s really going on? This week, James and the panel explore the issue of homelessness in Australia. ('God Forbid' with James Carleton)
https://www.abc.net.au/radionational/programs/godforbid/how-covi…
# Audio Australia, Coronavirus COVID-19, Homelessness.Is build-to-rent the next big thing in commercial property?
Sue Williams Domain (Paywall)It’s an often-misunderstood housing type, but it’s now being tipped as likely to be one of the biggest commercial asset hits of 2021. The build-to-rent sector – with its sub-sector multifamily housing as its most commonly known to institutional investors – is going through unprecedented growth in Australia with a huge number of projects being planned or set to start construction in the next 12 months.
https://www.commercialrealestate.com.au/news/is-build-to-rent-th…
# Australia, Rent, Housing market.Cities could get more than 4°C hotter by 2100. To keep cool in Australia, we urgently need a national planning policy
Mark Maund and others The Conversation (No paywall)In cities around the world, temperatures could rise by more than 4℃ by 2100 ... Cities occupy just 3% of Earth’s surface. ... Yet more than half the world’s population live in urban environments ... It’s important ... planning ... include the cooling and shading provided by green infrastructure ... For Australia, this means getting a national green infrastructure policy that provides for green spaces within our cities, open spaces and buildings to help with increasing density and rising global temperatures.
https://theconversation.com/cities-could-get-more-than-4-c-hotte…
# Hot topic International, Federal Government, Planning and development.Rental vacancy rates drop in coastal towns due to sea-change trend
Elizabeth Redman Domain (Paywall)Frustrated tenants are pulling out all the stops to secure a rental property in coastal hotspots, with some offering $200 extra a week or paying 12 months’ rent in advance. Vacancy rates have plunged as remote workers have been leaving major cities during the pandemic, making it harder for locals to find accommodation themselves.
https://www.domain.com.au/news/rental-vacancy-rates-drop-in-coas…
# Australia, Rent, Housing market, Regional NSW.