LISMORE MP Janelle Saffin hosted a Housing Affordability, Housing Supply and Homelessness Forum at the Lismore Workers Club, a first step in advancing one of her electorate priorities.
More than 40 key stakeholders from the housing sector, not-for-profit sector and local government have been invited to lend their frontline experience and expertise to a two-hour roundtable discussion.
Ms Saffin in her inaugural speech said what motivated her to stand for the seat of Lismore, in a nutshell, was the Nationals’ lack of representation on the challenges the community faces in ensuring our economic and environmental health.
“It was the failure to provide affordable and accessible housing, disability support with advocacy and strong institutions that serve the public – we have lost faith in them,” she told Parliament.
Ms Saffin said today’s forum was in response to the dire need for affordable housing, housing supply and homeless support in the Lismore electorate and the wider region.
“A large number of people contact me seeking support and the many agencies and individuals at the forum are better qualified than me to offer proposals and suggestions on how to tackle this serious issue,” Ms Saffin said.
“A number of organisations have clearly articulated what is needed and these resources will assist me to advocate in an informed way.
“It is of course up to the government to get the framework in order to deliver more housing stock.”
Post-forum, Ms Saffin will prepare an advocacy plan which outlines what is needed to address the issues and work in partnership with the community to try and secure some much-needed resources for the Northern Rivers region.
The forum, on Friday, 9th August 2019 follows Ms Saffin arranging for some housing service providers to brief NSW Opposition Leader Jodi McKay and Shadow Minister for the North Coast Adam Searle MLC during their recent visit to Lismore last month.
Thursday, August 1st, 2019.
