House of Assembly - Fifty-Second Parliament, Second Session (52-2)
2012-02-14 Daily Xml

Contents

FALCON LODGE RETIREMENT VILLAGE

In reply to Ms CHAPMAN (Bragg) (30 June 2011) (Estimates Committee A).

The Hon. J.D. HILL (Kaurna—Minister for Health and Ageing, Minister for Mental Health and Substance Abuse, Minister for the Arts): I am advised:

1. There is no specific policy that states that these facilities cannot be utilised, however, this offer was made to Housing SA in the context of two units for private rental. Housing SA has since contacted the Falcon Lodge Retirement Village and provided the following information.

When Housing SA supports people into private rental, they are provided with rental assistance of up to 50 per cent. For a single pensioner, the $645.00 per fortnight rate for Falcon Lodge can represent up to 83 per cent of their income.

If these tenants were to be selected from the Housing SA waiting list, they would be expecting to pay no more than 25 per cent of their income in rent, which is the accepted affordability benchmark for social housing.

In Housing SA, the services of Private Rental Liaison Officers are utilised to advocate on behalf of prospective private rental tenants, and assist them to obtain appropriate, suitable and attractive accommodation.

Housing SA staff members actively provide information to clients regarding all housing options, including any updated advice received from independent facilities such as was provided by Falcon Lodge. If a tenant finds Falcon Lodge to be an appropriate, suitable and attractive accommodation option they will be assisted to make contact.

This is the normal practice of Housing SA on receipt of information regarding housing opportunities.