Waterloo Estate residents in Sydney are angry and uncertain about their future following the announcement of a redevelopment plan by the New South Wales government. The Waterloo Estate is the largest social housing estate in Australia and houses almost 2,500 people. It sprawls over 18 hectares close to Sydney’s CBD. The redevelopment plan, called Communities Plus, involves offering public land to developers, with the condition that 30% of what they build is dedicated social housing. Shelter NSW believes that the state’s Communities Plus program is failing, with only a fraction of the promised social and affordable housing being built. Housing experts and residents alike are urging the government to prioritize investing in social housing, which would benefit those who can’t afford the private rental market. The NSW state election on Saturday, 23 March 2019, is an opportunity for residents to voice their opinions on Communities Plus projects.
Waterloo Estate: Public Housing Residents Angry and Uncertain Over Move for Redevelopment
Residents of Waterloo Estate, the biggest social housing estate in Australia, are angry and uncertain over the government’s plan for redevelopment. The New South Wales government is selling the estate, which houses almost 2,500 people, and it will be redeveloped under the Communities Plus strategy. This strategy offers public land to developers on the condition that 30% of the built units will be dedicated to social housing.
Phong Luu, a resident of the Waterloo Estate, is upset about the planned redevelopment. Luu has made his one-bedroom apartment his own since moving in almost three years ago. He has created a minimalist, inviting space that he can share with his friends and family. However, Luu will eventually have to move because his landlord is the government, and it’s selling the estate. He’s angry because he’s formed a strong community around him that will be broken up with the redevelopment.
The first portion of the estate that will be redeveloped is Waterloo South, and under the Communities Plus strategy, only 100 additional social housing units will be built. The Shelter NSW chief executive, John Engler, believes that it’s not enough and that the government is “cannibalising” its own stock. The Communities Plus strategy is supposed to help the state’s Land and Housing Corporation to “renew” ageing properties and boost supply while remaining cost-neutral. However, in reality, there hasn’t been any significant increase in social housing in NSW.
According to University of Sydney emeritus professor Peter Phibbs, the dilemma with this strategy is that there’s no real increase in social housing in NSW, unlike in other states. This situation has a negative impact on all those people who are on the waiting list for social housing and can’t get in because there’s no new net supply. In response to questions from 7.30, the Land and Housing Corporation (LAHC) said that only 2,773 new social housing properties had been built since 2016 out of a planned 23,000.
The Waterloo Estate redevelopment has left its residents angry and uncertain. Despite the Communities Plus strategy, there hasn’t been any significant increase in social housing in NSW, and this situation has a negative impact on people on the waiting list for social housing. The government needs to take action to ensure that there’s more social housing available for those in need.
“They can take me out in a bag”: Residents of Waterloo Estate Uncertain Over Redevelopment
Residents of Waterloo Estate, the biggest social housing estate in Australia, are uncertain about the government’s plan for redevelopment. Olivia Bright has called Waterloo Estate home for more than 30 years. Although the tower she lives in may not be redeveloped for decades, the 69-year-old is readying herself to move anyway, just in case.
Luna Farrell, Olivia’s best friend, also lives in the same tower block. Luna acknowledges that living at the estate was “not the best, but manageable”. She understands why some residents don’t want to move because it’s been their home for the last 50 years, and relocating would be a significant challenge for them. However, she also sees the importance of redevelopment as it represents progress.
Residents of Waterloo South expect to be told when and where they will be moving later this year. Phong, who lives in that section of the site, believes not enough information has been provided to him and his neighbours. He was under the impression he may have to move next year, but the Land and Housing Corporation confirmed that he would not.
The government has repeatedly promised that current Waterloo tenants who want to return to the estate will be able to do so. It has also pledged to give residents at least six months’ notice before their move.
According to Professor Peter Phibbs, a nationally-recognised housing expert, NSW is trailing the pack when it comes to building new social housing. He believes that the solution to the housing crisis is not rocket science, and NSW needs to invest in social housing.
The uncertainty over redevelopment has left Waterloo Estate residents anxious. Although the government has promised that residents who wish to return will be able to do so, there’s not enough information available for residents to plan their move. As Professor Phibbs notes, NSW needs to invest in social housing to address the housing crisis.
NSW housing expert Professor Peter Phibbs believes that investing in social housing is the solution to the state’s housing crisis. In recent years, NSW has lost its appetite for investing in social housing, according to Professor Phibbs. The state government claims to have invested $9.3 billion in the sector in the past five years. However, Shelter NSW believes that this figure is insufficient, and the upcoming state election is an opportunity to reconsider plans for Waterloo Estate and other sites set for redevelopment under the Communities Plus model.
Waterloo Estate is the biggest social housing estate in Australia. The NSW government has announced plans to redevelop the site under the Communities Plus strategy. The strategy involves offering public land to developers on the condition that 30% of what they build is dedicated social housing. More than 51,000 households are waiting for a home in NSW. However, at Waterloo South, only 100 additional social housing units will be built under the Communities Plus strategy.
Residents of Waterloo Estate are uncertain about the redevelopment plans. Olivia Bright, who has lived at the estate for over 30 years, is readying herself to move, just in case. Luna Farrell, who lives in the same tower block, understands why some residents don’t want to move, but also acknowledges the importance of redevelopment as it represents progress.
The government has repeatedly promised that current Waterloo tenants who wish to return to the estate will be able to do so. The government has pledged to give residents at least six months’ notice before their move. However, current residents feel anxious as they don’t have enough information to plan their move.
According to Professor Phibbs, NSW needs to invest in social housing to address the housing crisis. NSW is trailing other states in building new social housing. The state opposition has pledged to review Communities Plus projects if it wins government on Saturday. Labor housing spokeswoman Rose Jackson said, “Communities Plus has been a failure, with only a fraction of the promised social and affordable housing actually getting built.”
The Land and Housing Corporation (LAHC) said that external factors, including natural disasters, COVID, and local government planning controls, had affected its ability to meet housing targets. However, LAHC also noted that money had been spent upgrading existing stock, allowing for the retention of over 9,000 homes that would have otherwise been sold or demolished.
Waterloo Estate residents are calling for more investment in social housing. They want the government to fix up empty places and provide more homes for people who can’t afford the private rental market.
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