Potential Loss of Public Housing
HAAG was quite disturbed recently to see an article in The Emerald Hill Times that quoted a recommendation from the Tenants Union of Victoria for 50% of public housing to be transferred to private housing associations.
Members will be aware that HAAG has campaigned for many years against the transfer of public housing. Our main concerns are that public housing provides a number of protections that either are not provided or cannot be guaranteed in the private sector. For example: Tenants in public housing are guaranteed lifetime security of tenure; affordable rents are set at 25% of income; tenants can transfer across the public system anywhere in Victoria; problems encountered by public tenants can be appealed as high as the Minister’s office; funds for modifications and repairs are provided to whatever is required by the tenant; and, the policies that govern the management of public housing are transparent and available. In many cases they are also designed with input from tenants via consultation over many years. The private housing associations cannot guarantee any of these policies or principles.
HAAG is extremely concerned that the Tenants Union has proposed the transfer of 50% of public housing because until recently this has only been the position held by the housing associations themselves, who have an obvious self interest. It is a quantum leap for an organisation purporting to represent tenants to be joining this campaign. It creates an appearance to the public that both housing providers and tenants support the idea. HAAG believes that this is not the common view of public tenants and that it is time that tenants had their say on this issue.
HAAG is conducting a forum on the issue of tenants’ rights and transfer of public housing. The date for this is Tuesday 29th June. Read more about the forum by clicking > here
Below is the text from the article which appeared in the Emerald Hill Times on 10 February 2010.
illustration: Matt Golding.
Tenants Union calls for housing management switch
by Benjamin Preiss
Emerald Hill Times
February 10 2010
A vast proportion of the state's public housing stock could be managed by community housing groups, Victoria's peak tenants union says.
The Tenants Union of Victoria will recommend the State Government consider handing over management of up to 50 per cent of public housing properties in a parliamentary hearing later this month.
Submissions closed in late January for the inquiry, which will examine the adequacy of public housing in Victoria.
Hearings have been scheduled for this week and later this month. More than 15 housing and social welfare agencies will appear at the hearings.
TUV policy and liaison worker Toby Archer said public housing residents were often better off in accommodation managed by community housing groups.
“There’s no reason why (the State Government) couldn’t transfer up to 50 per cent of stock to community housing”, he said.
Mr Archer said community housing groups were often better equipped to operate public housing and “more attuned to the market” than the State Government.
The Tenants Union will also call for further investment in public housing.
In its submission to the inquiry, homelessness support agency HomeGround recommended that another body be established to handle public housing residents’ complaints.
It said the system was too time-consuming and many residents were discouraged from raising their concerns because they worried complaints might be used against them later.
The Family and Community Development Committee is due to report its findings on the inquiry in September.
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