Claymore updates

Claymore has been in the news a couple of times in the last week or so.

An artists impression of the first two stages of a Claymore renewal project. Impression: UrbanGrowth NSW

First there was this report talking about knocking down buildings in 'a bid to lure new residents'. Whilst there will be new privately sold homes, there's no mention on whether there will be any retention or even increase in public housing. The residents interviewed, and even Ms Goward, all mention the local pride and the community. Unfortunately, which can't be removed from the housing tenants who live there! It would be a shame to throw out the baby with the bathwater. We also wonder what liaison has been undertaken with the people of Claymore who have had so many changes, plans and dead ends over last number of years.

Then the Daily Telegraph published this story discussing the renewal. The story prompted a comment from local Macarthur public housing tenant, Jen Rignold.  "I am an active tenant volunteer who derives her pride from the people in our community.  Bricks and mortar are important but are not the only consideration.  How people are treated and the relationships we continue to build with each other have a far greater impact on pride.  Ask tenants what is needed and we will work with you"

Well said, Jen!

On the lookout for social housing strategies

The Auditor-General's report in July last year set out the context for much of the present interest in social housing redevelopment (we discussed the report in this post on the Brown Couch). The report also recommended Housing NSW and the NSW Land and Housing Corporation produce some policy statements on social housing strategy in this State – and recommended some dates for their production.

Keep a lookout for movement on the following recommendations:

• HNSW should, by December 2013, complete a social housing policy that aligns tenant management with emerging client need.  
• LAHC should... by December 2013, complete and release an asset portfolio strategy that delivers housing at an appropriate standard and shows how future new supply housing will align with emerging client need.  
• LAHC in consultation with HNSW by December 2013, finalise the government’s long-term strategy for managing public housing estates to deliver a sustainable reduction in disadvantage on estates. 
• HNSW and LAHC should... by June 2014, develop organisational plans that are clearly linked to their social housing policy, asset portfolio strategy and estate strategy including:

− gap analysis
− objectives
− targets
− funding
− performance measures and progress reporting.