Housing Affordability Crisis

Housing

ACTION TO ADDRESS THE  HOUSING CRISIS IN THE NORTHERN RIVERS

There is hardly any affordable or secure housing available for people in our area to rent or buy. Many people have had to move out of the area, away from their friends, support networks, jobs, schools and community. Uprooting people is a symptom of a crisis not a cure for one.

We have seen unprecedented housing stress in the Northern rivers, brought about by: the rapid growth of an unregulated short-term holiday letting industry, increases of up to 30% in property values, almost no supply of rental properties for residents and urban buyers flocking to the area during Covid-19.

At any one time there are 2000-3000 houses in the Ballina electorate that have been booked through short-term holiday letting agencies. That’s an average of 6000 adults and 6000-10,000 children who reside in our community who could live in those homes if those properties were available as permanent rentals.

We must support people’s right to access secure, safe and affordable housing. Housing insecurity affects everybody in our community; the homeless, people in public and community housing, private renters, first home buyers, single parents, women, children and everyday working people.

To the NSW Premier and the State Government,

The housing crisis in the Northern Rivers is in desperate need of targeted solutions. To ensure people in our community have access to safe and secure housing options. We are asking you to:

  • Support Byron Shire Council to Regulate short-term holiday letting in Byron 
  • End no-grounds evictions in NSW, and
  • Amend the affordable housing SEPP to provide 30 year leases

Please sign the petition calling on the NSW State Government to take meaningful action to end the housing crisis in our region.

Who's signing

Beverley Inshaw
Phillip McNamara
Shannon Batistic
Paul Gannon
Karina Perris
Paola Bignu
Liz Hollman
Holly McQueen
Caitlin Weatherstone
Andreas Pinter
Sama Balson
Annina Helenelund
Christine McNeil
Claire McLisky
Amy Hewton
Antonia Canosa
Joel Turner
Natalie Wells
Lindsay Bell
Rosina Mihajlovic
Estelle Schmitt
Will Clifton
Dianne Pymble-Ward
Rana Munns
Faith Kairembora
Rosie White
Stuart Murray
Alan Gordon
Isabelle Kimmorley
Jocelyn Hillier
1,165
10,000 signatures

Will you sign?

Showing 867 reactions

  • Beverley Inshaw
    signed 2021-05-15 11:39:30 +1000
  • Phillip McNamara
    signed 2021-05-10 11:07:31 +1000
  • Shannon Batistic
    signed 2021-05-09 19:44:32 +1000
  • Paul Gannon
    signed 2021-05-09 10:50:23 +1000
  • Karina Perris
    signed 2021-05-06 12:33:18 +1000
  • Paola Bignu
    signed 2021-05-05 18:49:29 +1000
  • Liz Hollman
    signed 2021-05-05 16:39:26 +1000
  • Holly McQueen
    signed 2021-05-05 06:02:32 +1000
  • Caitlin Weatherstone
    signed 2021-05-04 22:40:22 +1000
  • Andreas Pinter
    signed 2021-05-04 07:37:27 +1000
    There is on houses to rent if I have to move I have bin living here for 28years working
  • Sama Balson
    signed 2021-05-03 20:06:57 +1000
  • Annina Helenelund
    signed 2021-05-03 14:32:51 +1000
  • Christine McNeil
    signed 2021-05-03 12:58:31 +1000
  • Claire McLisky
    signed 2021-05-03 12:36:42 +1000
  • Amy Hewton
    signed 2021-05-03 12:29:40 +1000
    The use and abuse culture of short-term stays has developed a divide, where I see locals and environment alike being disrespected and ignored by holidaymakers. This area is a high tourism site because of the community and love and ethics we embody, but we can not hold onto this sanctuary if it is all and only high-priced in and out superficial greed turning the cogs as this is not sustainable for anyone.


    The end of gentrification of this area starts now.
  • Antonia Canosa
    signed 2021-05-03 11:09:08 +1000
  • Joel Turner
    signed 2021-05-02 20:08:07 +1000
    Holiday rentals are sucking the community out of Byron shire
  • Natalie Wells
    signed 2021-05-02 17:20:44 +1000
  • Lindsay Bell
    signed 2021-05-02 10:29:27 +1000
  • Rosina Mihajlovic
    signed 2021-05-02 07:45:21 +1000
    This situation is so sad and divisive in our local community. People who have lived here for all or most of their adult life should not have to leave the area to make way fir holiday makers. We all need the security of a roof over our heads – and at an affordable cost.
  • Estelle Schmitt
    signed 2021-05-01 20:06:41 +1000
  • Will Clifton
    signed 2021-05-01 19:54:49 +1000
  • Dianne Pymble-Ward
    signed 2021-05-01 16:48:39 +1000
    Homelessness is something we shouldn’t accept. Local people are often locked out of the rental and housing market here. This needs to change.
  • Rana Munns
    signed 2021-05-01 16:25:15 +1000
  • Faith Kairembora
    signed 2021-05-01 15:35:46 +1000
  • Rosie White
    signed 2021-05-01 11:26:15 +1000
  • Stuart Murray
    signed 2021-05-01 11:07:18 +1000
  • Alan Gordon
    signed 2021-05-01 10:26:44 +1000
  • Isabelle Kimmorley
    signed 2021-05-01 09:58:09 +1000
    Many friends who OWN their homes are leaving the Shire and are heading to Pottsville to live. Why not when you can get over a million dollars for a timber cottage ? This area has changed – even granny flats are $400.00 plus to rent – impossible if you are on Centrelink or low income. People have had to surrender their beloved pets to find a rental. It is sad to see families who were born and bred here, moving on. Money changes everything….sadly.
  • Jocelyn Hillier
    signed 2021-05-01 09:47:56 +1000
    This period of time seems the best time for a housing reset (that is long overdue) and to add speed to the Covid economic recovery.

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