Latest news
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Sweltering Cities launches Cool Safe Spaces report
We’re launching our Cool Safe Spaces report on how, when and why people seek relief outside their homes on hot days. The data and stories in this report come from over 260 responses to an online survey and time spent speaking to public housing residents in Melbourne.
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Second renters meeting sets campaign priorities for heatwave safe homes
Last night, activists and supporters from across Victoria came together to decide on specific asks and tactics to win the Heatwave Safe Rentals campaign. Everyone who attended the meeting brought different perspectives to the table. One supporter stressed the urgency of minor rental fixes as a practical and immediate goal, while another supporter emphasised the…
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Why we love shade
Shade plays an important role in minimising the Urban Heat Island Effect and reducing heat related diseases. Higher tree cover means lower temperatures on the ground on hot days, as well as sun protection for people as we walk We believe that shade needs to be a much higher priority when planning our new developments…
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Living in a rental home without cooling: Madeline’s story
No-one should have to live in a dangerously hot home, but this is the reality for Madeline Cooper, a renter living in Melbourne’s inner city. She lives with long Covid, which is challenging enough, but for Madeline, the extreme summer heat makes her symptoms worse. Her rental home is not designed to cope with scorching…
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In the hottest suburbs in Sydney 70% of bus stops have no shelter or shade
Hundreds of people have submitted information about their local bus stops through our form or shared their bus stop with us via email or social media. Of the 596 bus stops in our first sample, we found that 70% of stops had no shade, no shelter and no seat!
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Campaign for heatwave safe rental homes kicks off online
This week activists and supporters met online to talk about the goals and strategies for the campaign to win heatwave safe rentals in Victoria. The group included renter activists, housing researchers, campaigners and curious supporters who all want to contribute to building a powerful campaign that will win better rules for heatwave safe homes in…
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Community meets in Penrith to talk Heatwaves, Health and Hot Homes
This summer, rising temperatures and cost of living have put pressure on people across Western Sydney. On March 9th Sweltering Cities hosted the Heatwaves, Health and Hot Homes community forum in Penrith at Thornton Community Centre. We brought community members together to hear from experts and share ideas for cooler, more equitable suburbs. 60 people…
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A Sweltering Summer Story: Alison’s Rental Experience in Melbourne
Alison has been a renter in Victoria for the past four years. From the beginning of her tenancy, she has wanted better cooling for her home. Despite the sweltering summer heat, Alison’s requests for simple, affordable upgrades such as planting trees in front of windows have gone unheeded or been rejected by her property manager.…
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The plan to win heatwave safe rental homes in Victoria
We’ve spoken to hundreds of Victorian renters across the state who are sick of living in dangerously hot homes. We all know that inadequate insulation, windows, blinds or cooling means that homes are baking on hot days. Hot overnight temperatures mean sleepless nights that put stress on our bodies and on our mental health. We shouldn’t…