We want urgent action from all levels of Government. We are calling for regulation of the short-term rental market, renters’ rights, increased public housing and long-term solutions that listen to the voices of those with lived experience. The current short-sighted and inflationary solutions from the government don’t begin to touch the sides of the crisis, particularly in regional and remote communities. Current for-profit developer-led solutions will not deliver long-term secure and affordable housing that meets communities’ needs. 

The housing crisis is unprecedented in scale and we are tired of the talk. It is affecting the mental health and well-being of our community and tearing up the fabric of our neighbourhoods. We want our voices heard and the community to drive the change. We want safe, secure, affordable housing that responds to local needs. State Government density agendas do not suit our neighbourhood and we don't believe for-profit developer led solutions to the housing crisis will fix the crisis in the long term. 

We recognise that land clearing and deforestation are the largest drivers of the climate crisis and that addressing the housing crisis should focus on:  

• retaining and refurbishing all existing public and low-income housing, 
• regulating the short-term rental market, 
• filling empty buildings and homes,
• Increasing habitat availability and connectivity throughout all urban, peri-urban and agricultural land use areas.  

We demand urgent action from all levels of Government: local, state and federal, to address the causes of the crisis. We are calling for: 

• An immediate and substantial boost in public housing
• Regulation of the short-term rental market
• Action on Renters Rights
• A Royal Commission into negative gearing & capital gains taxes
• Government incentives that build diversity in the housing sector, that support long-term Community Led Solutions to the Housing crisis and remove housing from the speculative market.

We ask that Local Government:

• Undertake a review of the short-term rental market.
• Support a 60-day cap on Short-Term Rentals
• Support a Local land tax on short-term Rentals that goes into a locally managed housing affordability fund
• Support a local Empty Homes Levy that goes into a locally managed affordable housing fund. 
• Support a limit on Short-term Rentals in Residential neighbourhoods. 
• Support long-term community-led initiatives that keep land out of the speculative market and retains it for community benefit.
• Support solutions that lead to the full spectrum of First Nations housing needs being met. 

We ask for State-level action on renters' rights & public housing:

• An end to fixed-term as well as periodic no-grounds evictions
• No Demolition or sale of public housing. 
• Retro-fitting existing buildings rather than demolishing largely suitable buildings.
• That any New Land Release for housing is 100% either public housing, not-for-profit, deliberative or community-led housing,
• Rental increases capped annually and linked to CPI.  
• ‘Affordable’ Rent based on income NOT the market. Set at 25%/30% of tenants' income.  
• Public and social housing Rents should be no more than 25-30% of income. 
• Regulation of Real Estate Agent & landlord price gouging.
• Regulation of home maintenance for public, social, affordable and private rental housing. This includes repair requests, minimum standards for heating/cooling, minimum standards for structurally sound housing
• External regulation of private rental property maintenance & repairs.
• There needs to be time allocation by someone other than property managers to follow up on hygienic/safety/cosmetic repairs requested by tenants. For example: within 14 days the landlord and appropriate business has been contacted and resolution has been done for mould or pests by a ‘Property Repairs Coordinator’;  within 21 days the landlord and appropriate business has been contacted and resolution has been done for heating and cooling issues by a ‘Property Repairs Coordinator’. 
• Renters’ Solar fund that offers rebates for landlords to encourage the improved environmental performance of rental properties. - no or low-interest loans. 
• Implement an Empty Homes Levy that funds homelessness services and community led solutions to the housing crisis. 
• Regulate the Short Term Rental market to limit the impact of the sector on homes for local people and local workers. 

We ask the Federal Government:

• To immediately increase the supply of Public Housing. 
• A Royal Commission into the impacts of negative gearing and capital gains tax concessions on the affordability and availability of housing. 
• A Royal Commission into the Housing Market and Finance Sector and its impacts on the access to secure affordable housing.
• New Land Release is 100% public housing, not-for-profit, deliberative or community-led housing, 
• Stop conflation of social & affordable housing terminology, there should be sufficient community-owned long-term leased public housing and affordable, and low income rental accommodation for all. 
• Maintenance campaign to address long-term neglect of public housing stock. 
• End demolitions of housing 
• Refurbish and properly maintain public housing.