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Representing a range of Australian interests, the organisations have united in a letter calling for big government action to ease pressures on renters.
The signatories consist of more than 80 groups describing themselves as “a broad and diverse range of organisations, including renting and housing, health, youth and community advocacy organisations, community legal centres, unions and faith-based organisations,” who have made a joint submission to the Senate’s inquiry into the national rental crisis.
Together, they are calling for “fair limits on rent increases, ending no-cause evictions and improving energy efficiency in homes,” as well as for federal, state and territory governments to aim to bolster social housing so that it accounts for at least 10 per cent of all dwellings.
Though many are also intending to make independent submissions, the groups united to make a joint statement in order to capture attention on what National Shelter CEO Emma Greenhalgh described as a “watershed moment” for the country, when state and local governments have the opportunity to create “meaningful rental reform”.
With low national vacancy rates and skyrocketing rents making consistent headlines, the organisations stressed that not only is action needed, but this might be the best moment in recent history for governments to listen to their perspectives on rental reform.
“There has never been a better opportunity for the country to work together to bring greater stability, safety and security to the millions of renting households nationwide,” said Penny Carr, convenor of the National Association of Renters’ Organisation (NARO).
Moreover, Tenants’ Union of NSW CEO Leo Patterson Ross noted the significance of so many groups finding common ground.
“The community sector joining together on this statement shows the level of support that exists for meaningful reform across every state and territory, and for the Commonwealth to be part of the conversation.”
He said it was time for the Commonwealth to “bring every rented home into the 21st century,” noting how rental security had deteriorated over the course of recent generations.
“Renting in Australia should mean a good home from which we can live full, rich lives. Just as it did 50 years ago, the Commonwealth can support a national conversation across jurisdictions about what we expect from our renting system as well as bringing all the other tools it has to support good homes,” Mr Patterson Ross said.
Everybody’s Home spokesperson, Maiy Azize, noted the unfortunate reality of how many are being forced to live due to the current rental instability.
“Living in cars, tents and on couches, sleeping on an empty stomach, fretting about paying this week’s rent, and uprooting to another community – the horrors of the rental crisis are here to stay if governments don’t act with urgency and ambition,” Ms Azize said.
In her view, as the other organisations stressed, Australians need to see substantial action from their elected officials in order to address an issue that’s becoming a bigger concern for many.
“Piecemeal measures aren’t going to cut it for the growing number of Australians who are at the mercy of an unaffordable and unreliable private rental market,” Ms Azize said.
“Just as the federal government leads in other essential areas such as health and education, it must step up and provide safe and secure homes.”
ABOUT THE AUTHOR
Juliet Helmke
Based in Sydney, Juliet Helmke has a broad range of reporting and editorial experience across the areas of business, technology, entertainment and the arts. She was formerly Senior Editor at The New York Observer.
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