A Housing first advocate of the House You organisation, says that yesterday NSW Sheriffs evicted residents from NSW Reconstruction Authority buyback properties already functioning in their intended use.
They say creating homelessness while abandoning functional homes contradicts the NSW Labor government’s mandate to end homelessness.
A win-win collaboration
Housing first advocate of House You, Chels Hood Withey, who until yesterday morning was resident of 122 Stuart Street, Mullumbimby, says that three properties of ten on the Writ of Possession, could have been saved through win-win collaboration.
‘An unflooded home on Stuart Street – already functioning as transitional housing despite being designated for Homes NSW transitional housing; a relocatable heritage home on Lake Street, North Lismore – rehabilitated with extensive food gardens and ready for First Nations led vegetation management; and The Bridge at 17 Bridge Street, North Lismore – operating as a community hub serving local groups for over a decade, are all homes that are again at risk of demolition.
Homes maintained at no taxpayer cost
Ms Hood Withey says recent arson attacks on an empty buyback property in South Lismore demonstrates the criminal risks facing abandoned homes. ‘Vacant South Murwillumbah buyback properties require ongoing police responses and escalating security costs, while current residents provide 24/7 security and maintenance at no taxpayer cost.
‘Where are the 40 social homes the NSW RA promised from the buybacks? We haven’t seen one materialise. After they demolished the South Golden Beach house instead of reusing it for public housing, our community doesn’t trust the NSW RA to deliver housing outcomes.’
Ms Hood Withey says the financial absurdity is stark. ‘The government offers seven days in a motel through Link2Home – costing taxpayers $527.6 million annually – while refusing rent from stable households maintaining valuable public assets.
‘We facilitated an assessment with a demolition company while living in the home and can continue facilitating inspections until homes are ready for their next life,’ says Ms Hood Withey. ‘It’s economically insane to evict us from permanent housing into expensive temporary accommodation when we have nowhere else to go.’
No Empty Homes While People Are Homeless
A rally for ‘No Empty Homes While People Are Homeless’ was held Friday in Mullumbimby to show community support for housing justice. More than 40 community members gathered peacefully, demonstrating this extends beyond three properties to the systemic problem of hundreds of empty buyback properties whilst people sleep rough.
The eviction was postponed from Friday, July 25, July to Tuesday July 29. ‘Both times heaps of community showed up to prevent it,’ says Ms Hood Withey.
NSW Police say they attended the premises at 122 Stuart Street, Mullumbimby, at about 8am on Wednesday, to assist NSW Reconstruction Authority and NSW Sheriffs, and prevent a breach of the peace.
‘While at the location a small protest occurred, however, attendees dispersed without issue and no arrests were made.’
Playing with peoople’s lives
Ms Hood Withey says the authorities are playing with peoople’s lives. ‘We sought negotiations for an extension, the NSW RA did not have to remove us – there was 12 months to issue the writ.
‘We’re not preventing recovery – we’re looking after what would otherwise be empty, boarded-up homes. We need solutions that work with us, not against us.’
Ms Hood Withey says that during the Great Depression, communities would show up to prevent evictions. ‘We were offering collaborative solutions with managed transitions, four weeks’ notice, ongoing maintenance, and facilitated inspections.
Community organiser at The Bridge in North Lismore, says the old Serpentine Gallery in Lismore has facilitated community groups for over a decade. ‘Why destroy functioning community infrastructure when the RA promised community spaces but delivered none?
Reclaim Our Recovery’s, Zoe Humphreys, says we need to bridge the gap between grassroots initiatives and government decision-making processes to build resilience, not tear down what’s already working.’
Calling on the Minister
Ms Hood Withey says that all of the groups are calling on Minister Janelle Saffin, Premier Chris Minns, and Mal Lanyon CEO of NSW RA to work with the and save these properties from demolition. ’It’s not too late to ensure these homes are reused. There are hundreds more just sitting there.
‘This isn’t just about individual homes – it’s about the fundamental injustice of a government denying citizens the basic human right of shelter during a housing crisis.
‘The Minns government had the power to choose collaboration over cruelty and he chose cruelty.’
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