Australian Greens Housing spokesperson Senator Mehreen Faruqi has said that the federal government and National Cabinet must act urgently to ensure renters and those in housing stress are not left in enormous debt or at risk of homelessness as the eviction ban ‘cliff’ rapidly approaches.
Senator Faruqi said:
“Over the coming weeks and months, renters face the prospect of eviction and possible homelessness as eviction bans come to an end across the states and territories.
“With unemployment skyrocketing, we must do everything we can to avoid a worsening of the homelessness and housing crises.
“The National Cabinet must work to implement waivers for rent arrears, with relief for those with rental debts. It must also agree on a national standard of renters’ rights and rental laws to protect people from unfair evictions.
“Rent increases should be frozen and lenders directed to give mortgage relief with no interest accrual for property owners.
“This is the time for massive investment in public and community housing, and to ensure we recognise housing as a human right.
“The COVID-19 crisis has further exposed existing inequalities in our broken housing system. It’s time to ensure that we not only make it through the pandemic, but fix housing in this country once and for all,” she said.
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