Kath Snell: What are NIMBYs afraid of? Fear is not a reason to reject housing developments

Recently, I felt quiet sorrow when reading some of the online comments about the new social and affordable housing developments in our city. Part of fear is instinctive. Some loudly. Most of them are due to uncertainty.

But let’s take a breath and destroy it. Because what we really talk about here is the people who need what we all need – a safe place to look for a house.

First, let’s clean some confusion. Social housing expresses houses for very low -income people, usually receiving government support, such as retirement or disability support. It includes both the housing housing (governed by the government) and community houses (managed by non -profit organizations).

Then, there are affordable houses for people who are in low to moderate revenues such as teachers, elderly care workers, child care educators and nurses. Affordable housing is usually set to approximately 70 percent of the market rent or less than 30 percent of a person’s income. A life line for workers priced from the communities they serve.

The announcements of the last state government to build more social and affordable housing are a brave and very needed move. The gap in low -cost rents is something we emphasize with increasing urgency while directing the crisis of homelessness. It’s great to see more to my mixture.

I understand that there is a little fear in the community. This is not a reason to reject housing developments; A reason to make sure we understand it right. The shelter WA and others are exactly advocating: well designed when necessary, good housing and services with good housing, giving people strength to live well, safe and independently.

A safe house is required before everyone can make a good life. When people have this stable, affordable housing basis, they can significantly contribute to their communities. And health services alleviate costs and pressure on the policing and justice system.

The majority of people living in social or affordable houses are just like you or me. They want stability. They want security. They want to raise their children and go to work and walk their dogs.

Most neighbors don’t even know who lives in social housing on their streets or buildings. Because he doesn’t define people.

And let’s be honest: Crime and antisocial behavior is not specific to a postal code, a housing type or an income group. Every suburb has difficulties. There is no monopoly about the difficulty or hope of social housing.

This part is personal. I spent my early childhood in social housing in Wales. My family worked hard. There was a strong sense of community. We were surrounded by families who did their best.

We have experienced a girl, age, friend who is a teacher on one side. On the other hand, a girl, my age, my friend, a police officer. And now I work in this sector, I defend a better future. We all came from the same street, we all lived in social housing.

Our own prime minister spent time in social housing. There are many leaders, CEO and community builders. There should never be a sign of shame. There must be a jumpboard board to success.

We wanted a response to the brave social and affordable housing targets and the urgency of the housing crisis. Now we see that the government is starting to surrender.

The survey after the survey shows that a wider community defines the housing crisis as one of the leading concerns. And an overwhelming majority says that more social and affordable housing is an important solution.

Like me and like others, we have a sensitive and passionate housing minister who wants to see that these brave social and affordable developments are successful. I think this is definitely the common point of all of us, and that’s why we’re on this journey. I know that our community housing and homeless services sectors will ask for nothing but to show how we can do it right.

Let’s ask before you hurry to say, “Not in my backyard”: Why are we really afraid? And what kind of community do we want to be?

Because when we say no to affordable or social housing, we do not only refuse buildings. We reject teachers, caregivers, retirees, single parents. We reject children who deserve the same chance as every child.

Every person deserves a safe place to search for a house. And every child – wherever they grow up – he deserves to be the prime minister tomorrow.

Let’s not close the door to them. Let’s establish a community they meet. And where we all develop.

Kath Snell is the General Manager of Shelter WA