Media release
Inner West Mayor Darcy Byrne
Shelter NSW CEO John Engler
The community housing and welfare sectors have strongly backed in Inner West Council's Fairer Future plan to build 35,000 new homes to fix the housing supply crisis in our community.
The plan, which seeks to stem the exodus of young people, renters and essential workers from the Inner West, has garnered strong support from community housing providers, welfare advocates, charities and churches.
A broad cross section of organisations have made submissions in support of the Plan as well as making comprehensive recommendations about how to maximise the acquisition of not-for-profit and affordable housing.
Inner West Mayor, Darcy Byrne said, "The housing crisis is a moral cause and we are determined to act now so that future generations will still be able to call the Inner West home.
"The fact that organisations like Shelter, the Tenants Union, NCOSS and the Faith Housing Alliance are getting behind our Fairer Future plan and helping to make it more ambitious shows that we are on the right track.
"Organisations committed to social justice recognise that delivering more homes and more affordable housing is the central challenge for our Inner West community today.
"More than that, their submissions give expert advice on how we can increase the amount of not-for-profit housing while significantly increasing housing supply overall.
"They have a commitment from us that we will work with them to incorporate their progressive principles into our plan.
"Together we can make sure that young people, renters and essential workers will have homes here and can remain in the community they love.
"We have undertaken comprehensive community consultation on these plans with more than 3,000 submissions received and being assessed in detail.
"There will be significant amendments to the final plan when adopted to strengthen provisions for affordable housing, community infrastructure and open space, as well as addressing site specific changes proposed by residents."
Shelter NSW CEO John Engler said that including the community housing sector would help make the Fairer Future plan effective.
"The approach that Inner West Council is taking is refreshingly unique, especially in terms of the early and enthusiastic engagement with our sector," Engler said.
"We have appreciated the genuine Fairer Future Plan consultation process - which has been open to meaningful input, clever ideas and true innovation. We're encouraged by the commitment to better housing outcomes that will result for those who need it most in the Inner West."
Organisations that have made submissions in support include:
- Shelter NSW
- Faith Housing Alliance
- Tenants Union of NSW
- NSW Council of Social Service
- Community Housing Industry Association
- NSW Nurses and Midwives Association
- Sydney Alliance
- Committee for Sydney
