Abandoned properties, trashed houses and waiting lists more than a decade long – this is what the public housing report card looks like in 2013.
Across Australia, tenants claim the system is in chaos as families face lengthy delays before they get a roof over their heads.
NSW Land and Housing Corporation's statement:
The NSW Government is committed to assisting the state's most vulnerable people, including the elderly and people with a disability, with safe secure housing.
The NSW Government is supplying new social housing, improving existing properties through upgrades and maintenance and is rejuvenating estates.
In the 2012-13 financial year, a total of approximately $140 million is budgeted to build new housing homes and complete projects started in previous years and approximately $400 million for planned and responsive maintenance and upgrading of existing stock.
Empty public housing:
At any time, a number of properties are vacant due to various reasons, including undergoing repairs and re-letting following tenants moving out, major refurbishments, or awaiting sale due to no longer being fit for purpose.
Sell off of public housing:
Properties are sold for a range of reasons, but primarily:
— Where the proceeds can deliver an increased number of dwellings to assist a greater number of people
— Where they have poor amenity, such as location, proximity to services and transport
— Where the high cost of maintaining them is better directed to providing more suitable housing
— To tenants who wish to purchase the property they have been living in.
Victorian Minister for Housing Wendy Lovell's statement:
Since the Coalition Government was elected in November 2010, the Victorian public housing waiting list has reduced by 4767 (11 percent) and is now 36445, its lowest level in four years.
During the 2012-13 financial year, the Victorian Government is acquiring 1150 new social housing properties, and conducting major upgrades of 1600 existing properties.
The Coalition Government is currently developing a new Social Housing Framework, to ensure social housing in Victoria is sustainable into the future.
As part of the framework, a Property Condition Audit of all state owned properties is underway. Repairs and maintenance are among the issues to be addressed as part of the Framework, which will be released in 2013.
