Idea to share dropped by Flegg
MINISTER for Housing and Public Works Dr Bruce Flegg has canned a proposal which would force public housing tenants in under-utilized dwellings to share their homes.
The move comes after Caboolture News shared tenant Peter Williams views on the proposal which sparked wide-spread debate in the community.
Last month almost 55,000 public housing tenants were asked to provide feedback on potential solutions to the social housing crisis.
Majority of tenants surveyed believed downsizing was the best solution to under-occupancy, with 62 percent of respondents indicating support.
A further 26 percent supported tenants paying more rent to retain an under-occupied property and only eight percent believed voluntary share housing was the way to go.
A total of 54,263 surveys were distributed to public housing tenants with an amazing 10,535 responses returned by the June 30 cut-off.
Dr Flegg said urgent action was required to address the under-occupancy crisis crippling the system.
"There are 30,000 families on the waiting list while 8700 properties had two or more bedrooms in excess of the needs of the registered number of occupants," Dr Flegg said.
"The overwhelming support from tenants for downsizing and increased rents proved we're on the right track."
Mr Flegg said tenants in under-occupied properties would be offered the option to move to smaller dwellings as they become available and those determined to stay will be offered a modest increase to weekly rent.
"We have listened to tenant feedback and as a result shared tenancies will only be considered at the direct request of the tenant."
Mr Flegg also announced the progressive introduction of fixed term tenancy agreements for all new public housing tenants from July 1.
It was to reinforce the message that social housing was not an entitlement for life and to ensure that social housing continued to be allocated to those in need.
At the end of each tenancy agreement, a tenant's eligibility for social housing will be reviewed and the tenant either offered a further fixed term or assisted to transition to the private rental market if their circumstances indicate public housing is no longer needed.
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