Housing crisis soon to be catastrophe

The fact that Kevin Bell’s beautiful and common-sense article on the right of us all to a secure roof over our head seems so radical and amazing says a lot about our current systems, policies and culture regarding housing (“How to solve Australia’s housing crisis”, July 27). To our shame, it’s no longer a crisis but a “disaster”, soon to be a “catastrophe … absolutely predictable and avoidable, all on our national moral watch”. Forget stadiums, racetracks and more motorways; our governments and all stakeholders in this space, including those who administer social services, must come together urgently to create the change we need to begin on a different path, where human rights trump the almighty dollar. Kerrie Wehbe, Blacktown

I was grateful to read Kevin Bell’s compelling article. I only hope Anthony Albanese reads it too, and that Bell’s measures towards maintaining the equity and stability of our country are high on the Prime Minister’s “to-do” list. Jennifer Briggs, Kilaben Bay

Kevin Bell’s article is well-intentioned but, in the end, it’s really just a plan for a plan. Will anyone argue that housing is not a human right? How about we start advocating for specific solutions, from the wholesale liberalising of zoning, to removing parking minimums, to relaxing building codes to allow easy modifications to be done by everyday people. Top-down solutions got us into this mess. We need to work out how to unclog the system and enable bottom-up solutions to emerge. Adam Follington, Auckland

Earlier this year, I went on a study tour of European housing co-operative sectors, which provides first-class, affordable, secure housing. We saw how the “mum and dads” investing in things like property trusts, which then fund the co-ops, could get as good a return as directly buying real estate, without the hassle of dealing with agents, tenants and maintenance. When they want their money back from the fund, no home is sold and no tenant kicked out. We could and should shift investment from private market rental to mixed-income affordable rental co-ops. Housing Australia, housing co-op resourcing agencies and member-owned banks across Australia are in place to make this transition now, it just requires leadership from governments to make it happen, and voters to recognise it serves their interests as well. Donald Proctor, Cremorne

Not every Baby Boomer is rich

I wish I was one of these cashed up Baby Boomers (“Cost-of- living crisis? If you’re a Boomer you’d hardly notice”, July 27). Our generation has been vilified by the media and other generations, saying we’ve trashed the planet, caused climate change and have millions in super stashed away. Many of us are not cashed-up and in fact having trouble making ends meet, just like everyone else. Robert Pallister, Punchbowl

I get so sick of my generation, the so-called Baby Boomers, continually being called out for being wealthy. Not all of us are rich or have millions in superannuation. We suffer the same price rises as other generations and have to cut back on spending as they do. Older women are often the worst off, especially if they rent or live in nursing homes where they have no control over price rises. Economists could take note of the queues outside technology stores when a new phone is released, and Black Friday and Boxing Day sales which draw thousands. Few in those queues are us much maligned Baby Boomers. Christine Tiley, Albany Creek, Qld

Rinehart painted into corner

Vincent Namatjira’s portrait of Gina Rinehart is clearly meant to ridicule and therefore be deliberately offensive (“Inside the campaign to take down Gina Rinehart’s portraits”, July 25). If the gallery believes prominent Australians should be portrayed in this fashion it is up to the public to decide if it suits their taste or not. I find it difficult to see it as a great work of art. Garry Feeney, Kingsgrove