Housing SA

In reply to the Hon. G.G. BROCK (Frome) (24 June 2021).

The Hon. V.A. CHAPMAN (Bragg—Deputy Premier, Attorney-General, Minister for Planning and Local Government): The Minister for Human Services has provided the following advice:

The SA Housing Authority sells South Australian Housing Trust (SAHT) properties on the open market to support its financial viability. I am pleased to inform you that under the Marshall Liberal government, the number of financial viability sales of SA Housing Authority reduced by 77 per cent from peak sales in 2013-14 under the former Labor government.

The SA Housing Authority last sold three homes in June 2020 and has not sold any since. This is in stark comparison to the previous Labor government, which sold an average of 12 homes in Port Pirie each year during their final term in government.

The number of vacant properties in an area fluctuates regularly, depending on how many households leave or move to other public housing, and the progress of maintenance and upgrades. The majority of vacant properties are unoccupied for short periods are offered following routine maintenance. In some cases, offerable properties may remain vacant for longer periods of time due to tenant choice, or if the authority plans to significantly upgrade, redevelop or sell the site.

I am pleased to let you know that the Marshall Liberal government invested $142 million in 2020-21 in maintenance, upgrades and renewal of public housing to ensure our homes are fit for purpose. During this time the properties remain vacant to ensure works can occur, however, hundreds of newly renovated properties have recently been completed and are being offered to new tenants.