Community Housing Stress Proposal Assignment: Urban Social Justice Initiative for Equity and Inclusion, Singapore

You are a new worker starting at an organisation which has a long and distinguished reputation for developing innovative ways to address complex social issues. The organisation has been given a grant for 3 years to develop new ways for improving social justice in the community. The funding body has deliberately left the focus for action open and the organisation can choose to focus on one area or issue or create action across a range of issues impacting people.

The organisation is based in an urban environment close to the centre of a big city. You know that many people in the area are facing housing stress and increasingly you are seeing and hearing about more people becoming homeless. It is not just affordability but a range of different issues which are contributing to the increase in housing stress and homelessness – the demographic profile of the area tells you there are just not enough places available for people to move into which means housing is becoming less affordable due to demand. In addition overcrowding in available housing as more family members move in together to share costs, and other shared accommodation is now housing multiple people in one room so people can afford the rent.

Housing stress is particularly being experienced by young people, older people living alone and families with young children. Waiting lists for social and community housing in the area are sitting at 10 years and increasing. As stress levels increase more people are becoming mentally distressed which is putting further pressure on families, communities and services.

You have also heard there is an increase in family violence in the area and that a number of women and their children are living in cars both temporarily to get away from violent partners and also permanently as there are no local refuges or housing options. The government has been reducing funding available for local support programs for young people, families and communities for a number of years, with funding being diverted to more crisis oriented and individual case management approaches. You are seeing the impacts of this as people can only access any assistance at crisis point.

You have been asked to work with others in the organisation to develop an idea to increase fairness, equity and inclusion. You have your part time salary for 3 years plus an extra $40,000 per year for the 3 years to get something in place that is making a positive difference.

There is a catch, however. You are not only a worker but a member of this community. Like many others you are also experiencing housing stress and struggling to keep up with the cost of living. You are also feeling the impacts from a lack of local support and you are starting to feel these in relation to your own mental health.

Where do you start?

Your proposal should use 5-7 references from the reading list backing up your approach with research evidence and theory.