Union welcomes housing reforms but says workers still priced out

newy.com.au – Housing measures in the Federal Budget have been welcomed by the SDA Newcastle and Northern NSW Branch, but the union says workers across Newcastle, the Hunter and the Central Coast are still being priced out of living near their jobs.

The union, which represents retail, fast food, pharmacy and warehouse workers, said changes to housing tax settings showed the Federal Government had begun responding to community concern about affordability. It said the reforms followed years of campaigning by workers and unions for a housing system that worked for ordinary people, not only investors.

SDA Newcastle and Northern NSW Branch Secretary David Bliss said rising rents and house prices had left many workers unable to remain in the communities where they worked.

“For too long, retail, fast food, pharmacy and warehouse workers in Newcastle, the Hunter and the Central Coast have watched rents rise, house prices soar, and affordable housing disappear from the communities they work in,” Mr Bliss said.

“Workers are being pushed further away from their jobs, families and support networks simply because they cannot afford to live locally anymore.”

The union has been campaigning on the issue through its “A Fair Go Starts with a Home” campaign, which calls for action on housing affordability across the region.

Mr Bliss said the Federal Budget reforms were welcome, but warned they would not be enough without further action from all levels of government, including the NSW Government.

“Generous CGT and negative gearing tax breaks for investors have distorted the housing market over the last 25 years and put affordable homes out of reach for ordinary workers and their families. The Federal Budget’s taxation reforms and additional investment in supply are another important step toward a fairer housing system, but we know it won’t solve the housing crisis overnight,” Mr Bliss said.

“We need more social and affordable housing across Newcastle, the Hunter and the Central Coast, stronger action to deliver homes faster, and a commitment to make sure developments like Broadmeadow include higher levels of social and affordable housing.”

The union is also calling on the NSW Government to take stronger action on housing supply and affordability in the region.

“The people who keep our shops, supermarkets, pharmacies and fast-food stores running deserve the chance to live in the communities they serve.

“Housing shouldn’t be out of reach for working people.”