Save Public Housing – Know Your Rights
The Victorian Labor government plans to demolish public housing and give the land to private developers.
The government hasn’t guaranteed that new buildings will contain any public housing. Under the current plan, housing will mostly be private housing with some community housing.
Community housing:
1) Is more expensive than public housing, up to 30% of household income
2) Takes any Commonwealth Rent Assistance you receive, and
3) Usually has shorter leases.
While community housing is important, it should not replace public housing.
Many public housing residents have said they are worried they will be forced to move away from their communities, schools and services, with no guaranteed right of return to the new buildings.
You have rights, and you should be given all the information you need before making a decision. Your rights are:
1) You do not have to sign anything you are not comfortable with.
2) You do not have to sign anything if you want to stay in public housing or if you’re offered housing that is too small for your family, not accessible or far from your community.
3) You can have a lawyer with you at any meeting with Homes Victoria.
4) You do not have to make a decision in a meeting with Homes Victoria and you can take any forms with you to think about or get legal advice.
5) If you need an interpreter, you can ask for one, and Homes Victoria must provide one at every meeting.
6) You can take a support person with you to any meeting with Homes Victoria, such as a family member, friend, lawyer or support worker.
Many residents have said they feel pressured to accept housing offers from Homes Victoria. If you feel pressured, threatened or harassed, you can make a complaint to your local Member of Parliament, your lawyer or the Ombudsman.
The Greens want to see the government maintain and improve existing public housing and build more new public housing so everyone can have a secure, affordable place to call home.
We are supporting all public housing residents, including those who want to stay in their homes and keep their communities together. If you want to stay in your home, we will support you. If enough people work together and refuse to move we can save public housing and pressure the government to build more instead of giving public land to private developers.
To join your community and save your homes, text your name, address and the message “I want to stay” to 0491 618 592.
This video is not legal advice. For free legal advice, call your nearest community legal centre.
For free legal advice:
Inner Melbourne Community Legal: 03 9419 3744
Fitzroy Legal: 03 9328 1885
Southside Justice Connect contact numbers: 03 7037 3200
To make a complaint to the Victorian Ombudsman: 1800 806 314