ACCESS to housing would be recognised as a human right, with the Federal Government required to improve the country’s supply, under a new proposal put to parliament.
Laws introduced last week as part of a joint push by independents David Pocock and Kylea Tink to solve the abiding crisis in housing would force governments to maintain a 10-year plan in line with mandated objectives.
The goals would be based around improving supply and affordability as well as ending homelessness, with the Government required to take a human rights-based approach to solving issues with housing.
Under the proposal, a National Housing Consumer Council would be set up to advocate on behalf of tenants and prospective buyers.
A separate office would also be established to provide oversight of progress to the housing strategy.
Ms Tink said long-term planning was needed to address many of the issues involved in the housing sector.
“(The Bill) provides a road map that puts human rights at the centre of all future federal housing policy, regardless of the government of the day,” she told Parliament.
“It repositions homes from being seen as assets and returns them to their rightful location as homes where families grow and people age.”
The proposal has also been backed in an open letter to Housing Minister Julie Collins by more than 100 organisations and advocates, including former Liberal MP John Alexander, previous Labor senator Doug Cameron, and the chief executives of Mission Australia and the Australian Council of Social Service.
In the letter, supporters of the plan said a lack of national strategy had contributed to mounting issues in the housing sector.
“Australia’s housing system is badly in need of fundamental long-term reforms as well as short-term relief,” the letter said.
“While the government’s commitment to develop such a plan is welcome, it is essential that firmer foundations for the enterprise are established.”
Senator Pocock said housing remained among the biggest issues faced in Australia
