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Legislative Council - Fifty-Fourth Parliament, Second Session (54-2)
2021-11-30 Daily Xml
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SA Housing Authority

The Hon. J.E. HANSON (14:41): I seek leave to make a brief explanation before asking a question of the Minister for Human Services regarding housing.

Leave granted.

The Hon. J.E. HANSON: Last week, on 22 November, the SA Housing Authority wrote to a tenant to advise that their category 1 application—the highest possible category reserved for urgent cases—had not been reviewed, and I quote:

Your registration has been deferred and your category changed to 4.

Category 4 is the lowest possible category of priority. The letter further stated, and I quote:

This is because we haven't heard back from you about updating your registration…You won't be considered for housing while your registration is deferred.

The tenant has told the opposition, and I quote:

It's essential I remain on Category One, as I'm almost 70 and am struggling with the stairs and the two large gardens…An appointment was made for 10th November, after I called on 18th October 2021, which was cancelled by Housing SA, who called me the day before on the 9th November, because it was mistakenly made in the wrong place by Housing SA. Further, I was informed that Housing SA would call me to discuss my Category One and that it wasn't necessary for me to do anything until I heard from them—which I am still waiting on.

For the minister's benefit, the tenant in question is Ms Julie McDonald, who has lived in a Housing Trust home for more than 30 years and has served as a leader in the Housing Trust Tenants Association for many years. My questions to the minister are:

1. Exactly how many people have been kicked off category 1 for new housing or transfers due to allegedly not being heard from?

2. How exactly does the Housing Authority lose contact with someone who lives in their home, pays rent every week and often speaks to the media about the Housing Trust?

3. Can the minister understand how people who don't have Julie's knowledge or connections may simply fall off the radar and between the cracks if they get letters like this after being told they didn't have to do anything?

Members interjecting:

The PRESIDENT: Order!

The Hon. J.M.A. LENSINK (Minister for Human Services) (14:43): I thank the honourable member for his question. I am happy to look into the particulars of this particular case. It has been standard practice, and I think it's fair and reasonable, that people who wish to either transfer or remain on the list respond to the Housing Authority to advise whether they wish to continue to be in that situation. That has been standard practice for quite some time, as I understand it. We ask the question and we expect a response, rather than people remaining on lists in perpetuity, because there are always more people who would like to be in Housing Authority properties than there are properties available. I am happy to take this particular case on notice and get a response back to the chamber.

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