A new direction based campaign has began this year in Melbourne called the “The City Is Ours”. It takes a need for direct action approach to solving the housing crisis in Melbourne – a crisis which is echoed in countless cities and regions all over the world. The group has already organised a number of direct actions this including a Darebin sleepout on homelessness and May Day Banner drop. They are currently organising a number of actions in the build up to the State Election. They also work with rooming house residents, homeless people and struggling renters to address the issues we face and promote grassroots solutions to housing needs. If you are interested in getting involved then contact us at contact@melbournecio.org
Housing issues were largely ignored during the Federal election so they have two events planned that we are hoping will raise the issue of homelessness and housing stress during the state one. These are:
(a) A public meeting on the Housing Crisis which will be held on Thursday October 14th from 6.30pm. They are hoping to have this at a school in the Richmond electorate, but are waiting on confirmation. This will be addressed by a variety of people living with and working on issues related to housing including social worker Les Twentyman OAM and a speaker from the Hotham Mission Asylum Seekers Project. We will be inviting Housing Minister Dick Wynne to speak and will leaflet his electorate heavily about the meeting in the run up to the state election.
(b) A rally outside Parliament on Saturday November 13th to call on the state government to:
- Greatly expand investment in public housing
- Legislate to limit rent increases
- Stop illegal evictions
- Improve standards for rooming houses and prosecute rogue operators
- Increase funding for housing cooperatives
- Support green housing
The rally will include speakers, comedy, music and strong visuals. The theme will be "No More Bandaid Measures- End The Housing Crisis."
City Is Ours has initiated these events, but they are currently contacting other organisations and people to come on board. So far the events have been endorsed by Friends Of the Earth, Earthsharing, Community Radio 3CR, Homeless Front, Socialist Party and Green Renters.
For more details of these events as they emerge – visit the campaigns website at http://melbournecio.org
