ECCV welcomes the opportunity to brief the Department of Premier and Cabinet Multicultural Affairs and Social Cohesion Division on the issues which concern culturally and linguistically diverse renters in the face of the Victorian Residential Tenancies Act review and Fairer Safer Housing Options Discussion Paper (Options Paper).
Housing security and accessibility is central to an individual’s wellbeing. Refugee and asylum seeker tenants lack an awareness of Australian standards for housing. Language barriers, awareness of local laws and the legal system exacerbate their vulnerability to accepting ‘whatever they can get’. Their vulnerability and difficulty in finding adequate housing places them in a position where they are less likely to report rental property issues for fear of homelessness and further marginalisation.
The Residential Tenancies Act review Fairer Safer Housing Options Discussion Paper (Options Paper) presents government with the opportunity to significantly impact on the health and wellbeing of vulnerable asylum seekers and refugees, particularly female headed households at risk of homelessness.
Greater protection is required to ensure that any options considered to be made into law do not disproportionately affect culturally diverse renters and exacerbate existing issues in these communities.
Media Enquiries
For media enquiries or more information, please contact:
Email: media@eccv.org.au
Phone: 0431 091 738