Decision details

Moved by Councillor Scott, seconded by Councillor Ellsmore –

It is resolved that:

(A)      Council note:

(i)         all residents within the City of Sydney deserve to live safely and comfortably, including those living in social housing;

(ii)        the City values all of its diverse residents and appreciates the diversity that the people within the City of Sydney bring to our city and its distinctive demographic;

(iii)      the current amount of social housing and projected future amount within the City of Sydney is inadequate to provide enough support for the local residents experiencing socio-economic difficulty within the City of Sydney;

(iv)      the Covid-19 pandemic has caused an exponential growth in socio-economic pressures and difficulties for City of Sydney residents, creating a heavily increased pressure on the need for more social housing within the City of Sydney;

(v)       the City of Sydney Council has committed to and implemented successfully the Housing For All Committee which is a wonderful step in the right direction;

(vi)      the Council congratulates Glebe residents on their successful fight to get the redevelopment of the building to commit to 100 per cent social homes;

(vii)     that Land and Housing Corporation (LAHC) announced construction has started on Cowper Street which will provide 75 new apartments for local residents, despite there still being a long way to go in other parts of the City;

(viii)    other residents of public housing in Glebe have been advised that their homes will be subject to redevelopment, including those living in the Franklyn Street Estate;

(ix)      that Land and Housing Corporation has said they are focused on building more social housing for people in need, with developments that complement and enhance local character, and which are close to jobs, transport links, and vital community services for residents; and

(x)       that Council should continue to advocate for all residents of Cowper Street to be rehoused back into Glebe;

(B)      Council continue to advocate for the protection of public housing in Glebe; and

(C)      the Chief Executive Officer be requested to:

(i)         investigate the provision of a financial contribution to the Redfern Legal Centre over the next 12 months. The financial contribution would be to provide tenant support, advocacy and legal advice to public housing tenants, and to advocate for and assist public housing tenants with the Land and Housing Corporation during the transition; and

(i)         report back to Council with a recommendation on a proposed contribution to the Redfern Legal Centre.

The motion, as varied by consent, was carried unanimously as part of an in globo motion.

X086655