MEDIA RELEASE
Release date: 4th December 2009
NIMBY attitudes obstruct affordable housing in Australia
National Shelter and Shelter New South Wales today responded to protests towards public
housing developments in Sydney, claiming that the ‘Not in my back yard’ approach, was
obstructing governments goal of achieving an affordable and fair housing system in Australia.
While recognising the need for a balanced planning system, Executive Officer of Shelter NSW,
Mary Perkins said that the anti public housing sentiment was doing more harm than good in
communities.
“More and more households are requiring public housing, and to provide some security for
those facing homelessness, government’s need to build public housing where it is needed
most,” Mary Perkins said.
Following on from the launch of the National Shelter policy platform, ‘Housing Australia
Affordably’, Chairperson of National Shelter Adrian Pisarski is disappointed that negative
attitudes towards public and affordable housing are still rife in communities.
“Given the vast improvements that have been made to public housing dwellings over the years
as well as the increasing rate of homelessness among families, it is frustrating that people are
still unable to prioritise affordable housing,” Mr Pisarski said.
“We are all vulnerable to homelessness and housing stress. If any of these protesters were to
experience homelessness at some time in their life, I’m sure they would be relying on the
availability of public housing,” he concluded.
‘Housing Australia Affordably’ is available for downloading on the National Shelter website
-Ends-
For further information:
Mary Perkins, Executive Officer of Shelter NSW
Jasmine McCormack, Communications Officer Ph: 0430 227 787
NEWS 
