Minute by the Lord Mayor
To Council:
Access to affordable and social housing is
essential for a diverse, cohesive, and economically successful global city. Yet
as we know, Sydney is Australia’s least affordable City.
Although tackling housing affordability is
primarily the responsibility of the State and Federal Governments, the Council
is committed to supporting affordable and social housing any way we can. This
includes through our Affordable and Diverse Housing Fund, which we established
with $10 million in 2015, and supplemented with another $10 million in 2020.
One of our earliest grants under this Fund
was a $3 million grant for St George Community Housing’s Foyer Central project
at 26 City Road, Chippendale. And earlier this month, I was really inspired and
encouraged when I was taken on a tour of the Foyer by two of its impressive
young residents.
Like all of the residents in this 53-room
purpose-built complex, these young women had been in out-of-home care and were
at risk of homelessness when they turned 18 and had to leave, and fortunately
they connected with staff and support workers at the Foyer. And now they are
clearly thriving.
To prepare their residents for independent
living, the Foyer provides wrap around services so they can set and achieve
educational and employment goals that will set them up for life. In return,
residents are expected to see their development coaches for at least an hour a week,
attend a range of life-skill lessons and – most controversially, as far as the
residents are concerned – keep their room tidy!
They say “it takes a village” and the Foyer
certainly attests to that. It is run by St George Community Housing, Uniting
and Social Ventures Australia. The Sisters of Charity provide scholarships that
support some of the residents at university and an Aboriginal officer from
Redfern Local Area Command runs weekly yarning circles. In addition, many local
community organisations, such as OzHarvest, volunteer their time to support the
residents achieve their goals.
Staff told me that one of the best things
about the Foyer is its location. It is close to buses, trams and trains; three
universities; a TAFE; and any number of businesses and employment
opportunities. Although the residents clearly benefit from all the City has to
offer, we in turn undoubtedly benefit from all the residents have to offer.
I would also like to take this opportunity to
commend the NSW Government for raising the age of out-of-home care support from
18 to 21 years of age. Many of us cannot imagine how hard it is for children
growing up in out-of-home care facing the transition to adulthood without the
love and support of our families. This increased investment from the Government
means that young people can be supported for longer in places like the Foyer
and be better prepared for independent living.
COUNCILLOR
CLOVER MOORE
Lord Mayor
Moved by
the Chair (the Lord Mayor), seconded by Councillor Scully –
It is resolved that Council:
(A)
reaffirm
its commitment to continue taking action to increase affordable housing in the
City of Sydney;
(B)
continue
to recognise the important role the Affordable and Diverse Housing Fund plays
in the development of affordable and diverse housing in our area;
(C)
congratulate
St George Community Housing and its partners for delivering on its goal of
providing a safe haven for some of our most vulnerable young people; and
(D)
commend
the NSW Government for raising the age of support for young people in
out-of-home care from 18 to 21 years of age.
Carried
unanimously.
S051491