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7 published articles

Rough Sleeping

The wait for unbuilt social housing felt as Sydney's homeless 'still out on the street'

Sydney’s homelessness crisis is worsening, with charities and support services reporting growing demand as rising rents, living costs, and a shortage of affordable and social housing leave more people sleeping rough or couch surfing. The article highlights personal stories of homelessness and notes that, despite plans for new housing, only a small proportion of promised homes have been completed.

2026-10-13 08:25:33 · Contributor profile

Rough Sleeping

St Vincent’s homelessness leader named Unsung Hero at 2026 Sydney Awards

Erin Longbottom, National Director of Homelessness at St Vincent’s Health Australia, received the Unsung Hero Award at the 2026 Sydney Awards for her outstanding work supporting homeless people. A former outreach nurse, she advocates for long-term housing investment and healthcare support, emphasising that homelessness can be solved through coordinated action, compassion and adequate funding.

2026-10-12 21:44:21 · Contributor profile

Accountability

Housing: how a NSW Human Rights Act can help

A proposed Human Rights Act in New South Wales offers a vital opportunity to legally enshrine the right to adequate housing. By requiring public agencies and legislation to align with human rights standards, the law could help prevent unfair evictions, protect vulnerable tenants, and provide legal mechanisms to address the state's ongoing housing crisis.

2026-10-12 03:58:35 · Contributor profile

Public Policy

Finland tried to end homelessness. What can we learn from its runaway success – and recent failures?

Finland's pioneering "Housing First" policy halved homelessness by treating permanent shelter as a fundamental human right paired with support services. However, recent welfare and healthcare spending cuts, paired with rising living costs, have reversed progress—causing homelessness to spike again and demonstrating that sustainable long-term success requires ongoing social investment alongside housing.

2026-10-11 23:06:42 · Contributor profile

Public Housing

What Trump’s homelessness policy means for the most vulnerable

The policy shift replaces the federal "Housing First" model with transitional housing tied to mandatory treatment, sobriety, and work requirements. While proponents argue this promotes accountability and addresses root causes, advocates warn that strict prerequisites and public encampment crackdowns risk leaving the most vulnerable individuals without shelter.

2026-10-11 21:31:26 · Contributor profile

Housing Crisis

Australia’s rental crisis deepens as vacancy rates fall and rents rise

Australia’s rental housing crisis is deepening as rents continue to rise while the availability of homes remains limited, putting growing financial pressure on international students, new migrants and low- and middle-income households.

2026-10-11 20:37:12 · Contributor profile

Public Housing

Tenants unable to pay higher rental prices, Domain data finds

Despite severe rental shortages, landlords are struggling to increase rents due to tenants hitting their affordability limit. New data shows rent is flatlining in most capital cities and has even fallen in a few in the past three months.

2026-10-11 20:32:36 · Contributor profile

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