The ALP candidate for Clarence Leon Ankersmit has declared the election of a Labor Government on March 25 as the first step towards addressing the housing crisis in NSW.

Following the announcement of a $3.5 million investment to build more than 20 affordable two-bedroom units for seniors to support independent living in the Clarence Valley on May 11, 2022, as an election promise by Federal Member for Page Kevin Hogan, alongside $3 million contributed by Clarence Village, Mr Hogan reaffirmed his commitment to the project earlier this year, adding “the Labor Government are not going to fund this.”

CEO of Clarence Village Duncan McKimm previously revealed there are currently “dozens of people” on the waiting list who are in search of affordable housing and was keen to uncover if a Labor Government will match their $3 million in funding.

When contacted for comment by the Clarence Valley Independent, Mr Ankersmit said Labor can do so much better.

“As a Community Services CEO in the Clarence, I am keenly aware of the housing crisis that has overtaken NSW under the current NSW Liberals-Nationals Government,” he said.

“People may recall the Anglicare Rental Affordability Snapshot that measures the rental housing situation in our region on a given day in April each year.

“For more than 15 years, the snapshot has recorded a growing problem of affordability and availability in our own district of Clarence, yet the current government has not listened, and now here we are with a problem that will take years to fix.

“Only Labor is committed to addressing the crisis of household affordability and cost-of living in NSW with real and measured plans to address the long-term issues.

“After 12 years of overseeing this growing problem, the best our current government can do is to hand out some vouchers to pensioners and students, reminiscent of depression-era coupons for the poor.”

Mr Ankersmit said under the NSW Liberal-Nationals Government, home ownership rates have fallen, there are fewer housing completions, more families experiencing housing stress, and social housing has been forgotten.

“The Labor Government will introduce a target of 30 percent affordable, social, and universal housing on surplus public land,” he said.

“An elected Minns Labor Government will create a new agency called Homes NSW that will drive the delivery of more housing options and manage social housing to tackle the state’s housing crisis.

“NSW Labor will merge the Land and Housing Corporation (LAHC), Aboriginal Housing Office (AHO), and DCJ Housing into one entity.

“A Minns Labor Government will boost housing supply and deliver more affordable rental housing for regional NSW.”

If elected, Mr Ankersmit said he will work with these new initiatives announced by NSW Labor and with local government, investors and entities who are interested and able to participate in increasing the supply of affordable housing, especially housing that is scaled and sited to respond to the Clarence district’s demographics, including a growing ageing population and single-person households.

“I welcome the strong initiatives taken by NSW Labor after 12 long years of decline in housing affordability, and I look forward to returning our district to a more affordable footing so that no-one is left behind,” he said.

The Nationals candidate for Clarence Richie Williamson told the Clarence Valley Independent last week he is aware of the project proposed by Clarence Village and remains a strong supporter of it.

“Should I be elected this Saturday, I will go into bat for the project because everyone deserves a home” he said.

“That is what prompted the Nationals in Government last year to invest more than $4 million for a project on Bimble Avenue, South Grafton, that will deliver 12 two-bedroom and 12 single-bedroom houses.

“This project will deliver a great community owned housing outcome, and I will strongly support it should I get elected on the weekend.”

Mr Williamson said the Nationals in Government have initiated a wide range of initiatives for housing affordability, including the choice not to pay stamp duty, first homebuyer subsidies, and many other policies.

“I will support these and more, if elected,” he said. 

This article appeared in the Clarence Valley Independent, 22 March 2023.