Elderly residents at risk as government's inaction leaves countless without homes
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The plight of the elderly is as old as time, but in the bustling streets of Paddington, Sydney, it's taken a particularly distressing turn.
Elderly residents of two boarding houses face eviction as developers eye their homes for conversion into luxury apartments.
This situation has sparked a desperate call for intervention from the NSW government, as the most vulnerable in our society face displacement and an uncertain future.
The residents, many of whom are pensioners or living with disabilities, have been part of the Paddington community for decades.
For 80-year-old Sav Durac, the boarding house on Selwyn Street has been home for 56 years.
But now, he and 29 other men are grappling with the distress of eviction notices served by LFD Developments, who have plans to upscale their humble abodes into high-end living spaces.
The City of Sydney Council is challenging the developer in court, but the outcome will not prevent the eviction deadline of 1 February.
This legal battle is set to be a landmark case, testing the adequacy of state planning laws to safeguard privately owned affordable housing.
Yet, the verdict will come too late for the Selwyn Street residents.
The community's outcry has been loud, with advocates and residents accusing the NSW housing minister of failing to provide adequate support and alternative housing solutions.
The government's response has been deemed insufficient. Three months elapsed before Housing Minister Rose Jackson's office replied to community appeals for assistance.
The emotional toll is palpable. One resident's distress culminated in a week-long seclusion in his room, ending with hospitalisation.
This incident is a stark illustration of the broader anxiety and lack of support these men are enduring.
A local campaigner, Mike Mannix, has been leading efforts to assist the residents.
He fears the men will be thrust into unfamiliar environments, far from the community they know and love.
Finding safe, secure, affordable housing is daunting, especially in Paddington, where median weekly rents soar.
Homes NSW has set up hubs and information sessions to connect tenants with services.
Yet, the likelihood of these residents finding new homes in their cherished neighbourhood is slim.
Elaine Macnish, CEO of the Newtown Neighbourhood Centre, acknowledges the challenge, citing the closure of boarding houses and rising costs as compounding pressures.
Initially reluctant to intervene, the City of Sydney Council has now resolved to explore the acquisition of the property, potentially with contributions from the City and the state.
Lord Mayor Clover Moore has directly appealed to Minister Jackson for state support if a community housing provider is able to purchase the site.
The broader issue at hand is the vulnerability of boarding house residents, who often find themselves in these accommodations as a step out of homelessness or while awaiting social housing.
The current State Environmental Planning Policy (SEPP) is meant to protect affordable rental housing, but it needs to be proven inadequate, particularly for boarding houses.
Advocates like Ms Macnish are calling for a long-overdue review of the SEPP, initially slated for 2017.
As the clock ticks down for Selwyn Street residents, the need for immediate action and long-term reform has never been more apparent.
What should the government do to protect elderly residents facing eviction? How can communities support those at risk of displacement? Let us know in the comments below.
Elderly residents of two boarding houses face eviction as developers eye their homes for conversion into luxury apartments.
This situation has sparked a desperate call for intervention from the NSW government, as the most vulnerable in our society face displacement and an uncertain future.
The residents, many of whom are pensioners or living with disabilities, have been part of the Paddington community for decades.
For 80-year-old Sav Durac, the boarding house on Selwyn Street has been home for 56 years.
Elderly residents of two Paddington boarding houses face eviction as developers plan to convert the properties into luxury apartments. Credit: Unsplash
But now, he and 29 other men are grappling with the distress of eviction notices served by LFD Developments, who have plans to upscale their humble abodes into high-end living spaces.
The City of Sydney Council is challenging the developer in court, but the outcome will not prevent the eviction deadline of 1 February.
This legal battle is set to be a landmark case, testing the adequacy of state planning laws to safeguard privately owned affordable housing.
Yet, the verdict will come too late for the Selwyn Street residents.
The community's outcry has been loud, with advocates and residents accusing the NSW housing minister of failing to provide adequate support and alternative housing solutions.
The government's response has been deemed insufficient. Three months elapsed before Housing Minister Rose Jackson's office replied to community appeals for assistance.
The emotional toll is palpable. One resident's distress culminated in a week-long seclusion in his room, ending with hospitalisation.
This incident is a stark illustration of the broader anxiety and lack of support these men are enduring.
A local campaigner, Mike Mannix, has been leading efforts to assist the residents.
He fears the men will be thrust into unfamiliar environments, far from the community they know and love.
Finding safe, secure, affordable housing is daunting, especially in Paddington, where median weekly rents soar.
Homes NSW has set up hubs and information sessions to connect tenants with services.
Yet, the likelihood of these residents finding new homes in their cherished neighbourhood is slim.
Elaine Macnish, CEO of the Newtown Neighbourhood Centre, acknowledges the challenge, citing the closure of boarding houses and rising costs as compounding pressures.
Initially reluctant to intervene, the City of Sydney Council has now resolved to explore the acquisition of the property, potentially with contributions from the City and the state.
Lord Mayor Clover Moore has directly appealed to Minister Jackson for state support if a community housing provider is able to purchase the site.
The broader issue at hand is the vulnerability of boarding house residents, who often find themselves in these accommodations as a step out of homelessness or while awaiting social housing.
The current State Environmental Planning Policy (SEPP) is meant to protect affordable rental housing, but it needs to be proven inadequate, particularly for boarding houses.
Advocates like Ms Macnish are calling for a long-overdue review of the SEPP, initially slated for 2017.
As the clock ticks down for Selwyn Street residents, the need for immediate action and long-term reform has never been more apparent.
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