Home In Western Sydney Housing Affordability And Homelessness Insights - Western Sydney Community Forum

 

Western Sydney Community Forum and Wentworth Community Housing, with host partner Western Sydney University, launched their Home in Western Sydney report to regional leaders from community, business and government. The launch activated robust conversations about housing affordability and homelessness in Western Sydney based on sound evidence, which demonstrates that Western Sydney unequivocally bears disproportionately higher levels of housing stress across multiple indicators and that action to address this burden is overdue.

Home in Western Sydney Launch Recap

Professor Peter Shergold, Chancellor, Western Sydney University, highlighted the importance of the report in providing the evidence necessary to create a framework for stakeholder collaboration.

Senator Doug Cameron, Shadow Minister for Housing and Homelessness drew attention to engaging with the private sector to invest in affordable housing in Western Sydney.

Karen Walsh, CEO, Shelter NSWemphasised that a homelessness plan with real dollars to fund prevention and intervention was well overdue.

Wendy Hayhurst, CEO, Community Housing Industry Association stated that there was a need to reframe the City Deal to support young people, Aboriginal communities and students to live and thrive in Western Sydney.

William Power, NSW Deputy Executive Director, Property Council said that unlocking state land in Western Sydney was key along with development of needed infrastructure.

Joanna Quilty, CEO, NCOSSidentified housing costs as a significant contributor to the number of people living below the poverty line.

Stephen McIntyre, CEO, Wentworth Community Housing, reiterated that evidence based insights demonstrate the high levels of housing stress in Western Sydney. .

Billie Sankovic, CEO, Western Sydney Community Forum said the notion that housing in Western Sydney is more affordable is relative and a false dichotomy.

Dr Andy Marks, Assistant Vice Chancellor, Western Sydney University in closing the launch, said that neither political party can say they have solved the issue of affordable housing.

Click here for Report