Who we are
Established in 1975, Shelter NSW is the State's peak housing policy and advocacy organisation.
We are independent. We promote social justice. We lead and collaborate. We value expertise and evidence. Interested in the history of housing activism and the birth of Shelter NSW? Download the Champions of Change eBook by Dr Tony Gilmour. NSW Parliamentary Inquiry into building standards, building quality and building disputes
Evacuations, cracking towers, flammable cladding, the recall of non-compliant electrical cabling - there have been many signals that the way we build housing is not delivering quality and sustainable homes.
Mark Singer, Shelter NSW member and architect writes in The Fifth Estate that beyond implementing the Shergold-Weir recommendations we need to view building as an ecosystem. If we are to do more than just implement band-aid solutions, we need to look at the entire system and all the players within in, including the developers. In our submission to the Public Accountability Committee Inquiry into the regulation of building standards, building quality and building disputes, Shelter NSW poses the question; how did we get to the point where it has taken evacuations and an eleventh hour warning of industry collapse to hasten a response? We suggest the answer lies in who the system is designed for. We believe that the problems have arisen because the system has lost its way by losing sight of the consumer. Shelter NSW supports the implementation of the Shergold-Weir. We also recommend looking beyond; to across the entire system to identify issues that may not have come into the spotlight We believe that if we change the focus of the system to make it work for the consumers - the owners, renters and those who live in the housing being built - then the system is more likely to work for everyone. Access Shelter NSW's submission here. |
Councils' Local Strategic Planning StatementsWondering what your local council is thinking about the challenge of housing affordability, now and into the future?
Recent changes to NSW planning law require each council to prepare a 20 year vision for land use, called a Local Strategic Planning Statement (LSPS). This is part of a longer-term review of Local Environmental Plans that should lead to the implementation of Affordable Rental Housing Targets. For the 33 Greater Sydney based councils, the Greater Sydney Commission requires a Local Housing Strategy to be developed as well. The LSPS will give us some clues as to what each council's housing strategy will include, and just how seriously they are taking the challenges of affordable housing. Sydney based councils need to have their LSPS on exhibition for public feedback - for a minimum of 28 days - by October 1st 2019. Many of them have already started the process. Help us keep track of what your local council is planning! Click here to read about our principles for Local Strategic Planning Statements, and to find out where your local council is up to with the LSPS-making process. Let us know if you're planning to give them some feedback. Join the Shelter NSW team
We're looking for a Senior Policy Officer
Are you passionate about social justice and solving housing disadvantage? We are looking for a Senior Policy Officer to lead on developing policy positions and collaborations with academics, stakeholders and consumers on housing issues to effect systemic policy change. We're looking for someone who is;
Closing date for applications is Friday 23 August 2019. Find out more about the role, the selection criteria and how to apply from Pro Bono Jobs or Ethical Jobs. |
"Many organisations have a clear history, being established on a particular date in a
specified location by a known group of people.
Not so for Shelter, or National Shelter.
Both organisations emerged gradually and informally,
as befit collectives formed by activists keen for change."
Champions of Change by Dr Tony Gilmour