Community Housing

In reply to the Hon. J.A. DARLEY (5 August 2014).

The Hon. I.K. HUNTER (Minister for Sustainability, Environment and Conservation, Minister for Water and the River Murray, Minister for Aboriginal Affairs and Reconciliation): The Minister for Social Housing has received this advice:

1. The honourable member appears to be referring to public housing that is being transferred to two community housing providers, one for Mitchell Park and one for Elizabeth Vale/part of Elizabeth Grove.

I am advised that the two community housing providers are being selected to undertake the property and tenancy management of these properties through a national two stage tender process. They must pass stringent criteria and be registered under the National Regulatory System for community housing. They must have proven records of working in partnership with tenants and demonstrate a clear and extensive understanding of the issues affecting people living in social and public housing.

I understand Housing SA has communicated clearly to all tenants who will be affected by the transfer of management of public housing to the community housing sector. Liaison officers in the relevant regions meet and communicate regularly with all tenants. Housing SA appreciates that change can be difficult for people to manage. Every effort has been made to reassure all tenants about the impending transfer and explain what it means for them in their day to day life.

2. Housing SA has endeavoured to consider all of the many factors influencing the lives of the tenants who will be involved in the management transfer and to answer their concerns. Tenants affected by the transfer were invited to meet with the former Minister for Social Housing, the Hon. Tony Piccolo MP, and their concerns were included in the development of this project.

3. Once final approval has been given by cabinet and the tenants have been informed of the outcome, there will be a six month implementation period where Housing SA, the community housing provider, and the tenants and other stakeholders will work together before the transfer occurs. During this time, Housing SA will consider any exceptional circumstances.

4. The Minister for Social Housing is willing to consider the individual circumstances of any of the public housing tenants who are concerned about the management transfer. Her understanding is that the gentleman represented by Hon. John Darley MLC has been offered extra support by Housing SA and has declined this support. If the community housing provider selected to manage the property of this particular individual is a church based organisation and this would cause him undue stress, the minister can personally ask Housing SA to take into account his particular circumstances.