Housing SA

In reply to Ms SANDERSON (Adelaide) (28 July 2015). (Estimates Committee B)

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): I have been advised:

In August 2014, Housing SA completed a Housing Occupancy Survey (HOS), targeting approximately 31,000 tenancies. These households received correspondence reminding them that it is a condition of their tenancy to advise Housing SA whenever there are changes in their household circumstances, including occupancy and income details. The letter included the current household occupancy details as recorded on the Housing SA mainframe system.

Tenants were only required to respond if their household details were different to those in the letter. Housing SA did not conduct follow up with tenants who did not make contact. If Housing SA had reason to suspect that a tenant had not declared increased household income or additional occupants, the matter was investigated.

Housing SA was contacted by 106 tenants; 63 tenants reported no change to their household while 43 tenants advised of a change in household circumstances.

The 43 households who advised of a change in circumstances were sent a Proof of Income (POI) review form. Using the information declared by the tenant on the POI form, their rental subsidy was reviewed and rent was adjusted based on the number of household occupants and their income. These cases were then referred to Housing SA's Benefit Review section to investigate the possibility of over-claimed rental subsidy benefits.