Community housing provider the Housing Trust is encouraging the community to work together to ensure the viability of social housing now and into the future.
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The Housing Trust provides homes to around 2500 people in the Illawarra says there is a growing need for affordable housing in the region.
And as the government refines its guidelines on the residential housing eviction moratorium it wants it and the community to ensure temporary measures designed to assist people do not unintentionally create further long-term disadvantage.
Chief executive Michele Adair said tenants whose circumstances have not changed may be confused by the broad messaging, stop paying their rent in the short term and accrue debt they will struggle to pay down the track.
"The community housing sector exists to provide safe, secure and affordable housing to the people who need it most and that is not changing," she said.
"Our tenants need to understand their home is secure and safe as our community works through the coronavirus pandemic.
"Some tenants will find their circumstances have changed through job losses and their ability to meet rental payments is impacted.
"We have measures in place to assist these tenants and ask them to contact us directly.
"For those tenants on fixed social benefits who have not been further disadvantaged by recent events, it is imperative they understand that not paying rent will lead to an accumulation of debt that will influence their lives in months to come.
"These tenants are being provided with additional and welcome financial relief through the government's stimulus package.
"The additional payments they receive during the next six months will not impact their rent calculation.
By continuing to pay their rent they will ensure household stability and viability once the threat of the virus has passed".
Ms Adair said the importance of eligible tenants continuing to pay their rent cannot be understated in the current climate.
"Unemployment and business volatility will increase future housing stress within the broader marketplace, making the work of the Community Housing Providers even more vital," she said.
"Not only do we need to ensure our current tenants have the ability to remain in their homes after the moratorium ends but we need to have a plan in place and be able to provide support for those people requiring our help in the future.
"There was a severe shortage of social and affordable housing before coronavirus hit our shores. We can only expect that to grow in coming months.
"By reinvesting the money we receive from rent back into the system, we can provide more affordable housing into the future".
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