Climate change and low-income households

Shelter NSW media release – 14 November 2007

The state’s advocacy body for low-income housing consumers, Shelter NSW, has said that climate change is an important housing issue, and one that needs to be addressed by all parties in the upcoming federal election.

Mary Perkins, the executive officer of Shelter NSW, announced that the organization was organizing a one-day conference on the impact of climate change on low-income households in New South Wales.

‘In the houses we live in, we expect water to come out of the taps and electricity to come on when we flick a light switch. This is the case whether we rent our home from a private landlord, a public housing authority or nonprofit landlord, or whether we own our own home. Of course, the houses of some people are better able to be adapted to more suitable use of water and electricity, than others'. So there are social justice issues in the climate change debate’, she said.

The Shelter NSW conference on climate change and low-income households is being held tomorrow, Thursday November 15, at Sydney University.

The conference is sponsored by the Council of the City of Sydney and the Department of Environment and Climate Change NSW.

The speakers at the conference are:

Clare Petre, Energy and Water Ombudsman NSW
Col James, Director, I B Fell Housing Research Centre, University of Sydney
Mark Singer, Asset Performance Unit, Department of Housing
Nicole Gurran, Urban and Regional Planning Program, University of Sydney
Hugh O'Neill, Policy Officer – Energy and Water, Public Interest Advocacy Centre
Scott Elsom, Managing Director, Sala Homes (Brisbane)
Dick Persson, Administrator, Warringah Council
Michael Raper, President, National Welfare Rights Network
Jenny McAllister, Department of Environment and Climate Change NSW
Alison Peters, Director, NSW Council of Social Service
Michael Woodfine, Social Programs, Sydney Water

Enquiries: Mary Perkins on 0419 919 091

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