Community Housing Forums - Nov 2023
Housing and cost of living pressures are matters affecting all generations of Curtin residents.
The major parties’ housing policies have not worked. Young people find it hard to buy a house or afford rent without relying on the ‘bank of mum and dad’.
As part of doing politics differently, I have conducted two Community Housing Forums with 180 constituents attending these events.
The first Housing Forum in October was about listening to a mix of homeowners, mortgage holders and renters from across the community who identified the key housing issues in Curtin:
Lack of affordable housing to rent and buy;
Lack of diverse housing options; and
A tax system with misaligned incentives.
These issues were remarkably consistent with my recent housing survey that went to all households with my quarterly newsletter.
The second Housing Forum this month involved a panel of Experts evaluating community policy solutions submitted by constituents after the first forum. We heard from Natalie Sangalli from Housing Choices and Steven Rowley from Curtin University, who were then joined in a panel discussion by developer Rowan Clarke (Hesperia) and architect Nic Brunsdon.
From the discussion, it was clear that we need vision and cooperation between all levels of government, including a National Housing Policy so that action is taken in a coordinated way. A long-term reset is needed so the purpose of housing is as a home rather than as an investment concern.
With rental vacancies at 0.7% in WA, we need more housing supply, with well-designed sustainable medium density infill and a diversity of housing options. We need to ensure we are attracting key trade workers, so housing can be built.
We discussed the need to incentivise the Build to Rent model and all the experts agreed that stamp duty needs to be phased out and replaced with land tax.
We need the WA State Government to provide scale to ensure WA gets its fair share of Federal funding for social and affordable housing.
Renters in WA need greater protection to provide greater stability and at a state and local level, approval processes need to be accelerated, access to land increased and planning rules simplified, especially for well-designed sustainable housing that can be built rapidly.
Thanks to all Curtin constituents who attended the two forums and to those who submitted policy suggestions. I will publish a summary report shortly. (It has since been published here.) If you would like a copy, email kate.chaney.mp@aph.gov.au.
I will use this community-driven policy shaped by experts to continue to advocate for integrated solutions to the housing crisis in Curtin and across the country.
Related article: CURTIN HOUSING FORUMS - OUTCOMES
