Mackellar People’s Jury on Housing

The Mackellar People’s Jury on Housing

Working together to solve one of our community’s most pressing problems

What’s the problem?

Mackellar has some of the most expensive housing in the country to rent and buy.

Our young people and essential workers are finding it harder and harder to live here, businesses struggle to get workers and older residents find it difficult to downsize.

Vulnerable people have even fewer options.

What is a

People’s Jury?

The People’s Jury is a group of citizens selected via a randomised sortition process to form a jury on a pressing topic. This is conducted by an external independent organisation.

The group is presented with evidence from independent experts and community advocates, to come to a consensus on a particular issue.

In June Dr Scamps brought together a panel of randomly selected Mackellar residents to spend a day deliberating on the housing crisis from many perspectives.

The aim was to come up with 3 policy priorities that Dr Scamps can advocate for in Canberra.

This is a partnership with The newDemocracy Foundation, a not-for-profit research organisation that promotes community participation in politics.

What's next?

On Saturday the 15th of June, 29 people from across Mackellar came together and worked through the complex problems that have led to our housing crisis.

Dr Sophie will be releasing a report on her response to the jury recommendations and proposed housing policies shortly.