Standing Together for Public Housing

“What do we have to do to make this government listen to sense?” That question echoed through the Capitol Theatre in October 2025 when public housing residents, architects, structural engineers, lawyers, economists, and community advocates gathered to stand together. Their message was clear: Melbourne’s 44 public housing towers don’t have to be demolished, and the 10,000 residents who call them home deserve better than displacement without a plan. Now, the voices from that historic forum have been gathered into one document. We are proud to release “Standing Together for Public Housing” – a PDF featuring the full speeches from the night, alongside the campaign’s core demands: · Commission and release detailed structural evaluations of every tower. If and only if demolition is proven necessary, build replacement public housing first – nearby or on the same estate – and relocate tenants only when it’s ready. · End all “surplus” public land sales. Use that land to build more public housing, not line the pockets of private developers. · Introduce a mandatory public housing component in all new multi-unit developments on private land. This is not an unreasonable list. It’s supported by residents, experts, and even the Victorian Parliament’s own inquiry report. What’s unreasonable is pushing forward with a demolition plan that ignores evidence, wastes resources, and treats public housing tenants as an afterthought. The full document is now available. Read the speeches, share the demands, and join the growing movement saying: no demolition without justification. No displacement without a home to go to. 📄 Link in bio: rahu.org.au/standingtogether Thank you to the Renters And Housing Union for hosting this document. With huge thanks to the speakers, organisers, @3crmelbourne Community Radio for recording and uplifting this fight, and the Renters And Housing Union for hosting the full document. #StandingTogether #PublicHousing #HousingJustice #Melbourne #SavePublicHousing

The Parliamentary Inquiry into the demolition and privatisation of public housing last week found that the state government had engaged in the “managed decline” of public housing. Watching back on these clips, that is exactly what I see. My friend Liban invited me into his building a few weeks ago, to show me what he and many residents on the Collingwood housing estate have told me: the cleaning standards are just so low. I encourage you to watch through your the end of this video. We also talk about the many positives of the building that are clear even through years worth of grime: the colourful walls, the great views, the sturdy structure. 🏙️ The biggest issue is not the towers themselves, it’s the condition they’re kept in. A surface level issue fixed by minimal funds: more regular cleaning. If you think this is not good enough, drop a comment below and tell @vicgovdffh that Liban and his neighbours deserve better. 👇👇👇 🎥: @charlottedirects #publichousing #savepublichousing #repairretrainmaintain #collingwood3066

Stop the demolition. Renovate the towers. It really is that simple. Join the campaign to save public housing at the link in my bio. . . . #stopthedemolition #savepublichousing #housingisahumanright #publichousing

JOIN THESE HAPPY CAMPERS TOMORROW, FRIDAY, CNR RACECOURSE RD AND HOLLAND COURT, FLEMINGTON 7AM-9AM OR 4.30-6.30 PM. It'll be a blast! Come and join the movement to save the towers and draw attention to what's happening across Victoria and the 44 Flats.

What does community housing really mean and how does it differ from public housing? From our experience with community housing providers, we’ve seen the real risks firsthand. We’re deeply concerned by the Victorian Government’s shameful plan to demolish and replace all 44 public housing towers in Naarm/Melbourne with mostly community and private housing. Public housing must stay public. #stopthedemo #savepublichousing

Stop the Demo member Damon speaking tonight about the importance of public housing in our community, and the need for housing and community organisations to stand up against the Victorian government’s shameful plans to demolish all 44 high-rise housing towers.

If it works for The Capitol, why not for our 44 public housing towers?! 💡 Tonight at the Standing Together for Public Housing forum, one of the speakers spoke about how retrofitting older buildings is better for those who use (or live in!) the building as well as the environment. He looked around him and said, “well I mean this building is a good example!” So this is @elena_suares7 (of parliamentary petition and Yarra Citizen of the Year fame) checking out the retrofit. Last night speakers from public housing and a bunch of organisations made a clear case for why we need to safeguard our public housing (and build more of it). The clearest thing that came through: in TWO YEARS since announcing its plans to demolish the public housing towers, the Labor state government has never once told us WHY. It either doesn’t have, or refuses to release, any evidence showing why the towers need to be demolished, rather than refurbished. Which is, frankly, weird. And in the context of people’s homes, it is shameful. This year is THE critical year to get involved in the campaign to save public housing, and to show the Labor party that this issue will drive your vote at the state election next November. To keep abreast of relevant news, here are a few orgs and folks you can follow 👇 @savepublichousingcollective @stopthedemo @barry_berih @innermelbcl @44_flatsunited @gabrielledevietri @standingtogether4ph @flatout.inc @retain_repair_reinvest @___office #savepublichousing #stopthedemolition #publichousing #housingisahumanright

An audience of more than 300 people attended the public meeting 'Standing Together for Public Housing' at the Capitol Theatre in Naarm/Melbourne on October 23. The meeting was called to discuss, strategise and organise against the demolition of the 44 public housing towers in Victoria. Speakers included: Keiran Stewart-Assheton (RAHU/ Black People's Union); Louisa Bassini (Inner Melbourne Community Legal); Kevin Bell (retired supreme court judge); Margaret Kelly (former Barak Beacon Public Housing resident); Barry Berih (North Melbourne Public Housing resident); Jeannie Erceg (Port Melbourne Public Housing resident); Brendon McNiven (University of Melbourne), Chris Jensen & Isabella Fyfe (Retrofit Lab, University of Melbourne); Simon Robinson (OFFICE); Richard Cameron (convenor of Habitat26+); Ebony Bennett (The Australia Institute); Karen Fletcher (FLATOUT); Damon Poustie (Stop the Demo); & Peter Sibly (Former General Manager, United Housing Co-op) The organisers of the meeting called on the Victorian State Government to: 1. Commission and release detailed evaluations of the structural conditions of each one of the towers. If and only if a strong economic, environmental and social case is made for demolition, then build replacement public housing first, nearby or elsewhere on the estate, and relocate the tenants when complete. 2. End all 'surplus' public land sales and use that land to build more public housing. 3. Introduce a mandatory component of public housing in new multi-unitdevelopments on private land Photos: Jordan Shukri AK Armaou-Massoud #publichousing #housingcrisis

Tonight, an opportunity to come together to discuss and strategise against the senseless demolition of public housing towers in Victoria that would displace more than 10,000 people. Doors open from 5.30pm, 6pm start with plenty of time for discussion. Book at the link in bio, or you’re welcome to just come along. Image by @artfuldolebludger

The state government plans to demolish Melbourne’s 44 public housing towers while over 58,000 households remain on the State public housing waiting lists. No evaluations of the structural conditions of the buildings have been released. Expert proposals to retrofit the towers with minimal disruption to residents have been ignored. Come along to the public meeting on Thursday to discuss and build resistance to this disastrous policy. Registrations at the link in bio.

In the midst of a crisis we need more housing, not less! Public Meeting this Thursday 23 October, 6pm Capitol Theatre Melbourne. MC’d by Tony Birch, this meeting brings together public housing residents, activists, and academics to discuss and build resistance to the privatisation of public housing in Victoria.

Less than 1 week until the public meeting 6pm 23 October at Capitol Theatre Melbourne. Registrations at the link in our bio or come along from 5.30pm on the day. Join the campaign for more, not less, Public Housing.