Housing SA

Ms SANDERSON (Adelaide) (14:59): My question is to the Minister for Social Housing. How many tenants were evicted for disruptive behaviour in the 2012-13 year, and how many tenants agreed to vacate their properties following the commencement of proceedings in the same year without a formal eviction process?

The Hon. Z.L. BETTISON (Ramsay—Minister for Communities and Social Inclusion, Minister for Social Housing, Minister for Multicultural Affairs, Minister for Ageing, Minister for Youth, Minister for Volunteers) (14:59): Thank you for the question. Housing SA receives around 500 complaints each month, many of which are multiple complaints about the same incident, and around 60 tenancies each year are terminated as a result of disruptive behaviour.

These are investigated in line with the disruptive behaviour policy, and severe ongoing cases are referred to the disruptive management team. Should this fail to address the disruption, Housing SA refers complaints to the Residential Tenancies Tribunal for eviction proceedings to commence. Housing SA is unable to terminate a lease without an order form from the RTT. Where there is a threat to life or the wellbeing of a neighbour, the case is referred directly to the RTT.

We commenced a new disruptive management pilot program in October 2013 with a focus on resolving disruptive complaints. We also have an online mechanism to enable members of the public to lodge complaints. This provides the quickest service to deal with complaints. After a complaint is lodged—and we have had about 207 complaints lodged online—Housing starts an investigation within 48 hours. When it is found to be substantiated, a case plan and management strategy are put in place within seven days. The majority are one-off incidents.

The SPEAKER: Supplementary, member for Adelaide.