The Shadow Minister for Housing, Alistair Coe has called on the Government to take more care in the placement of public housing tenants and in the maintenance of properties.
Today, Mr Coe visited a public house in Tuggeranong that had a family of seven people, including five children, cramped in a three-bedroom house. The family were informed that at the birth of their fifth child, they would be raised as a high priority for placement in a four-bedroom house. However, more than six months later, they are still waiting.
“It is vital that deserving public housing tenants are in the right types of property in the appropriate area,” Mr Coe said.
“There are instances of large families being cramped into small units and singles or couples in multi-bedroom houses.”
“Given the ACT has the highest stock of public housing per capita in the country, placing the right people in the right accommodation should be achievable.”
In addition to the cramped conditions, the house Mr Coe visited today had significant amounts of mould in the bathroom that cannot be removed in spite of the best efforts of the tenants. Whilst Housing & Community Services were informed six months ago and quotes for repair were obtained, the mould is yet to be removed.
“Both the Government and tenants have a responsibility to ensure our public houses are maintained properly and failure by either party to meet this responsibility must be met with action.”
On 1 December, Mr Coe requested a briefing by officials in the Department of Housing and Community Services but the Minister, Mr Hargreaves, denied the request and advised Mr Coe to visit the Department’s website and read the Annual Report and Budget.
The full release can be found by clicking here.
