APY Lands

51 Dr McFETRIDGE (Morphett) (8 September 2015).

1. For the year 2014-15, how many houses were built with funding budgeted for remote Indigenous housing and who was/will be housed in them?

2. As at 30 June 2015, what was the total cash amount in rent arrears and the total number of families/individuals who were in rent arrears?

3. How is the department assisting families and individuals who are having financial difficulty paying for water and other utility bills etc.?

4. What is the total outstanding rent on the APY lands as at 30 June 2015?

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:

1. During 2014-15, under the National Partnership Agreement on Remote Indigenous Housing (NPARIH) South Australian capital works program, construction of 15 new dwellings and refurbishment of 24 dwellings commenced. Three of the refurbishments were completed by 30 June 2015. Once completed, the new dwellings will be allocated to families and individuals with the highest need.

2. As at 30 June 2015, there were 356 customers in remote Aboriginal communities with rent arrears, totalling $527,616.

3. Tenants in remote Aboriginal communities are not currently required to pay water and utility bills. When families and individuals find themselves in financial difficulty, Housing SA officers make referrals to support services.

4. As at 30 June 2015, there was a total of $383,548 in arrears accrued by head tenants and current members of their households in the APY lands.