OCAV joins housing plan campaign

OCAV has joined Everybody’s Home, a national campaign which plans to fix Australia’s housing system. The plan will focus on tax reforms needed to fund new affordable and social housing, as well as stronger legislation to protect renters.

The campaign, which has partnered with more than a dozen not-for-profit housing organisations including National Shelter, Homelessness Australia and Australian Council of Social Services, highlights the need for consistent protection for renters across the board.

This would include abolishing “no grounds” evictions – banning landlords kicking out tenants at the end of a lease without giving any reason, limiting rent increases to once a year, introducing tighter regulations around discrimination and implementing minimum property standards.

OCAV’s CEO Phillip Wohlers said that the association was pleased to be a part of the campaign.

“Just over 50% of our residents were either homeless or vulnerably housed while living with family or friends, in private rentals or in temporary accommodation. We understand the importance of having strong legislation to protect renters, especially older single women,” he said.

Everybody’s Home calls for a new tax incentive or direct subsidy to encourage super funds and other private sector investment in 200,000 low-cost rental properties for low and middle-income earners.

It also proposes an immediate increase in federally-funded rent assistance until low-cost housing is created to ensure people who are vulnerable are not without a home.

“We have to find new ways to tackle the increasing incidence of homelessness in Australia. Our focus is on older Victorians in need, and campaigns such as these are important in raising the issue and providing a united front among organisations working with people who are homeless or at risk of homelessness. The plan also fits with our second platform for action – assisting more older Victorians in need,” Mr Wohlers said.

The Plan’s five action points are:

1. Develop a national housing strategy to meet shortfall of 500,000 social and affordable rental homes
2. Prioritise first home-buyers over property speculators by resetting the tax system
3. Provide nationally consistent protection for renters
4. Provide immediate relief to people in housing stress by increasing rent assistance
5. Commit to ending homelessness by 2030