Youth protest against lack of affordable housing

Issue 
About 90 young people gathered outside NSW Parliament House on March 11 to raise awareness about housing affordability.

On March 11 around 90, mainly young people gathered outside parliament house to raise awareness about housing affordability in Sydney.

Many carried furniture, signs and banners about youth homelessness directed at NSW Premier Mike Baird. Signs asked if protesters could move into parliament house with Mike Baird, as there are no affordable housing options in Sydney.

The average first home loan has gone from three times the average annual income in 1996 to six times the average annual income in 2010. Young people today have no chance of buying their own home, rentals are high (and growing) and up to 40% of young people under 25 experience homelessness

The event, which was organised by the Sydney Alliance in collaboration with Youth Action, included a furniture removal truck, which dropped off a number of items outside Parliament House to gain attention from politicians and passers-by.

It achived it objectives when a member of Mike Baird’s staff came out to speak to the event organisers about organising a meeting to discuss the issue further.

Many pedestrians showed support and encouraged protesters to keep fighting for this just cause.

The event had an extremely good vibe with one member of the group carrying a speaker which constantly played the 80s classic Our house by Madness.

Like the article? Subscribe to Green Left now! You can also like us on Facebook and follow us on Twitter.

If you like our work, become a supporter

Green Left is a vital social-change project and aims to make all content available online, without paywalls. With no corporate sponsors or advertising, we rely on support and donations from readers like you.

For just $5 per month get the Green Left digital edition in your inbox each week. For $10 per month get the above and the print edition delivered to your door. You can also add a donation to your support by choosing the solidarity option of $20 per month.

Freecall now on 1800 634 206 or follow the support link below to make a secure supporter payment or donation online.