news, local news, housing crisis, housing forum, helen dalton, homelessness
A housing forum aimed at tackling the lack of affordable housing in Griffith saw the area’s charities, property developers and social workers come together to tackle the regional housing crisis. The forum, hosted by Murray’s state member Helen Dalton, convened at the Leagues Club for speeches and a panel discussion on solutions to the housing shortage in Griffith and the region as a whole. Featuring representatives from churches, council, housing services and local community leaders, the event aimed to find a range of potential solutions to the housing crisis and set up a committee to put the plans into action. . Ms. Dalton said she wanted the group to be able to apply for state and federal funding to address the shortage. “I want rezoning and looking at the co-op housing model. We want to position ourselves for housing finance and we need support services,” she said. She underlined the importance of the social support services that accompany the initial housing, the two issues being irrevocably linked. “If they have nowhere to live, they can fly away. You can’t solve problems like alcoholism, gambling addiction without it.” “If we can do it here, we can get people talking.” The keynote speaker for the event was Brian Murnane, CEO of Amelie Housing. Mr Murnane spoke of using NSW government funding to build several hundred units, but aims to build more regionally. “We have built some of these units in Albury and 20 in Dubbo, but we would like to do more regionally.” He pointed out that the housing crisis did not only affect young people and seasonal workers, but often older people who tried to leave houses that became too big or unaffordable when children left to find their own homes. “The other thing is the Sydney market has really skyrocketed and then with COVID people have realized they can live in the areas so that’s even more demand… if we build social housing, this takes the pressure off the private market and even the public housing market.” Annette Baker spoke of her own living conditions, noting the mold on the ceilings and the leaky roof every time it rains. As she tried to find alternatives, she saw no progress. “I’m sick of where I am…you need a real home.” Luckily Mrs Baker connected with Argyle Housing at the forum and in a networking triumph, was able to secure a new location which will be ready within the next few weeks. While the initial small success bodes well for the forum’s next steps, many said the issue wasn’t going to be fixed overnight. READ MORE: Overcrowding issues were discussed, with a general conclusion that while safety may be at risk and laws broken, it was impossible and unethical to prosecute or push back due to lack of options if some were removed from homes. Peta Dummett, the coordinator of the Griffith Community Center, said she wanted to make sure conditions were kept to zero after hearing horror stories from people at the centre. “It’s a wonderful initiative, it’s the first step to moving forward… We get people who visit the center to talk about the conditions – it’s quite distressing,” she explained. “Australia was once a nation that cared about the community and its people, now it cares more about the economic state.” “For me, it should be about holding state and federal governments accountable.” Our reporters work hard to provide local, up-to-date news to the community. Here’s how you can access our trusted content:
A housing forum aimed at tackling the lack of affordable housing in Griffith saw the area’s charities, property developers and social workers come together to tackle the regional housing crisis.
The forum, hosted by Murray’s state member Helen Dalton, convened at the Leagues Club for speeches and a panel discussion on solutions to the housing shortage in Griffith and the region as a whole.
Featuring representatives from churches, council, housing services and local community leaders, the event aimed to find a range of potential solutions to the housing crisis and set up a committee to put the plans into action. .
Ms. Dalton said she wanted the group to be able to apply for state and federal funding to address the shortage.
“I want rezoning and looking at the co-op housing model. We want to position ourselves for housing finance and we need support services,” she said.
She underlined the importance of the social support services that accompany the initial housing, the two issues being irrevocably linked.
“If they have nowhere to live, they can fly away. You can’t solve problems like alcoholism, gambling addiction without it.”
“If we can do it here, we can get people talking.”
DECORUM FORUM: Those on the front lines of the housing crisis have come together to discuss solutions to the ever-growing affordable housing deficit. PHOTO: Cai Holroyd
The keynote speaker for the event was Brian Murnane, CEO of Amelie Housing. Mr Murnane spoke of using NSW government funding to build several hundred units, but aims to build more regionally.
“We have built some of these units in Albury and 20 in Dubbo, but we would like to do more regionally.”
He pointed out that the housing crisis did not only affect young people and seasonal workers, but often older people who tried to leave houses that became too big or unaffordable when children left to find their own homes.
“The other thing is the Sydney market has really skyrocketed and then with COVID people have realized they can live in the areas so that’s even more demand… if we build social housing, this takes the pressure off the private market and even the public housing market.”
Annette Baker spoke of her own living conditions, noting the mold on the ceilings and the leaky roof every time it rains. As she tried to find alternatives, she saw no progress.
“I’m sick of where I am…you need a real home.”
Luckily Mrs Baker connected with Argyle Housing at the forum and in a networking triumph, was able to secure a new location which will be ready within the next few weeks.
While the initial small success bodes well for the forum’s next steps, many said the issue wasn’t going to be fixed overnight.
Overcrowding issues were discussed, with a general conclusion that although safety may be at risk and laws broken, it was impossible and unethical to prosecute or push back due to lack of options if some were removed from the houses.
Peta Dummett, the coordinator of the Griffith Community Center, said she wanted to make sure conditions were kept to zero after hearing horror stories from people at the centre.
“It’s a wonderful initiative, it’s the first step to moving forward… We get people who visit the center to talk about the conditions – it’s quite distressing,” she explained.
“Australia was once a nation that cared about the community and its people, now it cares more about the economic state.”
“For me, it should be about holding state and federal governments accountable.”
Our reporters work hard to provide local, up-to-date news to the community. Here’s how you can access our trusted content:
