Boarding House Residents Face Eviction as Developer Seeks to Demolish Affordable Housing
In Sydney's affluent Paddington, a group of vulnerable residents faces potential homelessness as a developer seeks to demolish their boarding house and replace it with luxury apartments. The residents, some of whom have lived there for over 50 years, have almost no protection from eviction under current laws.
Stephen Deer, a resident of the Selwyn Street boarding house for 70 years, describes it as his "refuge" and fears being forced to live in a park due to the lack of affordable housing options. The development proposal threatens to displace not only Mr. Deer but also other long-term residents, including a stroke victim and an elderly man in his 80s.
The City of Sydney Council unanimously rejected the development application, citing the need to preserve affordable housing. However, the developer is appealing the decision, leading to a landmark case that will determine whether state planning laws protect residents of privately-owned boarding houses.
The case has sparked concerns about the erosion of affordable housing options in Sydney, where the median wait time for social housing exceeds two-and-a-half years. The Newtown Neighbourhood Boarding House Outreach Service reports a steady decline in boarding house availability, leaving low-income earners and individuals on government benefits particularly vulnerable.
The residents of the Selwyn Street boarding house are not alone. In the past year, the Newtown service has assisted 75 people displaced from a boarding house in Dulwich Hill that closed suddenly. Many of these individuals, primarily elderly residents, were given only three weeks to find new accommodation.
The situation highlights the inadequacy of existing protections for boarding house residents. The State Environmental Planning Policy (SEPP) overrides local councils' ability to prevent such developments, leaving residents at the mercy of developers.
Community members and some councilors are calling for the council to use its developer fund to purchase the Selwyn Street property and preserve its affordability. However, Lord Mayor Clover Moore argues that subsidizing land for social housing providers is a more effective approach.
The residents' plight has garnered significant community support, with a petition to save the boarding house reaching nearly 10,000 signatures. Locals are urging the council to strengthen protections for boarding house residents and prevent the developer from letting the property deteriorate to force eviction.
As the case heads to court, the residents face an uncertain future. The outcome will have significant implications for the future of affordable housing in Sydney and the protection of vulnerable residents.