Change Management: Social Housing Management Transfers Program Best Practice Report

25/05/2020
Change management report graphic
Between October 2018 and September 2019 the management of more than 14,000 public housing tenancies across nine geographical regions of NSW was transferred from the management of the Department of Family and Community Services (FACS, now the Department of Communities and Justice or DCJ) to ten Community Housing Providers under contracts which last for twenty years. Since affected tenants had no voice or choice in the design or implementation of this program the Tenants’ Union has undertaken the vital task of observing and reviewing its implementation through the lens of tenants’ experience. This report focusses on the experiences of tenants during the transfer period and in the months following transfer.
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New report finds investment in social housing is critical to Australia’s post-COVID-19 economic recovery  

15/05/2020
Three initiatives are critical to Australia’s post COVID-19 economic recovery, a new report finds: build additional social and affordable housing stock across NSW; repair old social housing stock; and rapidly acquire properties in the private market to find a permanent solution for rough sleepers and others in temporary/crisis accommodation.
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NSW Parliament passes extra emergency measures: what this means for renters

14/05/2020
stylised city skyline with virus particles in the sky
On Tuesday and Wednesday this week NSW Parliament considered a number of measures that might provide further support for NSW renters during the COVID-19 pandemic. While not all of the measures we were hoping to see got passed, there were a couple of small wins. So, what did renters get?
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Further support needed for renters in NSW

12/05/2020
The current COVID-19 health crisis has impacted everyone in our community. For many renters the challenge of losing a job and reduced household income, or other financial and health impact, has been particularly acute. Many face losing their rented homes. We need to support households to navigate through health crises limiting financial and health impacts as much as possible, ensuring as much as we can that everyone is able to stay safe in their homes - during this immediate crisis, and in the longer term.
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Rent Reduction Calculator

11/05/2020
Text reads "COVID-19 RENT REDUCTION CALCULATOR" with doodle images of houses, dollars and virus particles
We are proud to make this calculator available to people in NSW looking at negotiating rents. It's an unfamiliar process for many people, and it can be tricky working out what you can afford to agree to or what offer you should make! This calculator lets you put in a range of information about your rent and income situation and then allows you to check what different scenarios of reduction look like over time.
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Support for JobSeeker claimants

30/04/2020
Welfare Rights Centre
The Welfare Rights Centre has launched a campaign to let new JobSeeker claimants know that help and support are available. If you are struggling with a Centrelink decision about your JobSeeker claim or another social security matter, you can call the specialist lawyers at Welfare Rights Centre for free legal assistance.
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Being evicted? Can you share your story or photo?

24/04/2020
Kings Cross
Although there is a moratorium on evictions in NSW, it won't stop all evictions for all renters. Now more than ever, it's important to share your story. If you are facing eviction and you are willing to speak publicly, please get in touch.
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Are evictions stopped in NSW? Yes. But...

15/04/2020
A stop on evictions! But...
From Wednesday 15th April the NSW Evictions Moratorium came into effect. So there is a stop on evictions, at least for 60 days – but not on all evictions and not for all people. For more detail, read our series of resources covering the eviction moratorium, rent and other issues during the COVID-19 crisis.
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Clarity for renters as stop on evictions announced

13/04/2020
The Tenants’ Union of NSW welcomes this morning’s announcement from the NSW Government confirming that protection for renters is on its way. We understand the package includes a temporary stop on evictions, a requirement for landlords to engage in meaningful negotiations and greater advocacy support for tenants.
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Tenants’ Union leadership – from strength to strength

09/04/2020
Leo on ABC News
The Tenants’ Union is pleased to announce Leo Patterson Ross as our new Chief Executive Officer. Leo has worked in housing and community development for almost two decades – including as a Tenant Advocate, Advocacy & Research Officer, and most recently as Tenants’ Union Senior Policy Officer. Throughout this time Leo has fought passionately for renters’ rights – with justice around land and housing as his driving goal.
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