We are a grassroots collective made up of local public housing estate residents and resident groups, neighbourhood friends of public housing, activist and advocacy groups, churches, legal professionals, academics and researchers.
We fight against the state-led abandonment of the human right to housing and the forced displacement of public housing residents through renewal programs.
We fight together for the protection of public housing residents’ rights to dwell in safe, secure and affordable homes and places.
We call for a radical increase in public housing stocks in appropriate well-located areas, and an immediate stop to the transfer of public housing to the unaccountable, non-transparent and subsidy-dependant community housing sector.
Some members of the Collective have decades of experience in housing struggles, some are accidental activists – we embrace all who want to join the fight for the future of public housing.
About SPHC
Mission Statement
To campaign for public housing as an essential foundation of a fair society.
Campaigning and advocating for the value of public housing to all in society.
Advocating for a mandatory adoption of the internationally-recognised ‘housing first’ approach to ending homelessness, with public housing providing unconditional accommodation
Amplifying the voices of public housing residents.
Networking with other campaign groups who support the primacy of public housing in achieving housing justice.
Conducting and promoting evidence-based research on public housing.
Producing and distributing creative works about public housing through social media, videos and films.
Purpose
Campaign Demands
DEMAND 1
Residents' rights and needs come first
A public housing governance system that places resident rights and needs at the centre.
Homes Victoria's constitution should require it to support residents and champion public housing as a social good.
Restore and properly fund a dedicated Complaints and Appeals Office.
Create a new Public Housing Ombudsman for when Homes Victoria doesn't respond.
Fund a state-wide residents' peak body and local estate groups, free to advocate without risking their funding.
DEMAND 2
Rapid and significant increase in the availability and quality of public housing across Victoria.
The Victorian Government to directly invest in and build enough new public housing to clear the waitlist [target date] and ease overcrowding in high-rise towers.
Once waiting list demand is met, lift the maximum income threshold and adjust building programs to meet future demand.
More public housing, built now
DEMAND 3
Stop privatisation and redevelopment
Stop privatisation and redevelopment of existing public housing.
Cease all redevelopment programs on estates that introduce private and/or community housing.
Retain all existing public housing estates as 100% public housing.
Legislate to prevent future sale, redevelopment or renewal of public housing stock and suitable public land.
Stop transferring public housing stock or tenancy management to community housing organisations.
End the sales to tenants program.
