In a groundbreaking initiative aimed at addressing Sydney’s critical emergency housing shortage, empty homes awaiting redevelopment could soon provide temporary shelters for women and children fleeing domestic violence. This bold proposal is part of a comprehensive council plan to increase the availability of crisis accommodation amidst the NSW Government’s efforts to construct thousands of new social housing units.
A Vision for Immediate Relief
Lane Cove Mayor Scott Bennison has spearheaded this innovative approach, suggesting that the council engage with owners of homes scheduled for residential redevelopment projects. These properties, often vacant for about six months after development applications are approved, could be utilised as temporary housing for those in desperate need.
“There’s a time period after a development application is approved before it’s knocked down which can often be around six months so we’d say to owners who have moved out ‘can we let that house for a limited period’,” said Mayor Bennison.
This proposal, which has garnered support from five Lane Cove councillors, aims to offer immediate relief to women fleeing domestic violence and families facing financial hardships that prevent them from maintaining their homes.
Community Support and Implementation
If the proposal passes at Lane Cove’s upcoming council meeting, it will involve agreements with homeowners and developers to use vacant properties before redevelopment begins. The council plans to collaborate with housing agencies to manage logistics, such as furnishing the homes and setting up lease agreements. This ensures that property owners do not incur any costs or liabilities.
“We’d like to see a situation where the homes are potentially provided rent-free and if it’s successful it could be a blueprint for other local government areas as well,” said Bennison. He also emphasised that despite Lane Cove’s affluent reputation, there are still families within the community who lack basic necessities like housing and food.
Expert Insights from Mary’s House Services
Yvette Vignando, CEO of Mary’s House Services, a North Shore non-profit supporting women and children experiencing domestic and family violence, acknowledges the merit of the Lane Cove proposal but advises caution regarding its implementation.
“It’s not just councils that should look at this, it’s also developers who often have homes standing empty for 12-24 months and don’t want them to be tenanted because of factors such as cost,” Vignando noted. She highlighted the resource-intensive nature of making a house comfortable and safe for trauma-affected individuals.
“Because of the resources involved, ideally there would be a minimum of six months for a house to be available. But the concept itself is brilliant and if there’s a home that’s fully furnished it’s better to put that to use than have a woman sleeping in her car which is what usually happens.”
A Step Towards Solving the Housing Crisis
This proposal comes in the wake of the NSW Government’s announcement to invest $5.1 billion over four years to build 6,200 additional social and affordable homes across the state. With over 57,000 NSW families currently on waiting lists for social housing and wait times in some areas exceeding ten years, innovative solutions like the Lane Cove proposal are crucial.
Mary’s House Services remains committed to supporting initiatives that provide safe, temporary housing for those in crisis. As this proposal progresses, it represents a significant step towards ensuring that every individual in our community has a secure place to call home, even in the face of adversity.
Stay tuned for updates on this promising initiative and join us in advocating for more innovative solutions to address the housing needs of those most vulnerable in our society. Together, we can make a difference.
This article is based on a report from the Daily Telegraph.
