Page 5088 - Week 14 - Tuesday, 17 November 2009

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these orders have been a very good early intervention strategy. Furthermore, Mr Coe, where there is substantiated evidence that a tenant has breached a general order, Housing ACT may return the matter to ACAT to seek a warrant of eviction. So I think we do take disruptive behaviour very seriously. Any household deserves the right to live in a peaceful environment, including Housing ACT tenants and private tenants across the ACT.

MR SPEAKER: Mr Coe, a supplementary?

MR COE: Minister, how does the strategy compare with other states and territories?

MS BURCH: Given that we are the largest landlord and we have 23,000 tenants, it is a large, complex program for us. The comparison between our disruptive tenant management systems and processes and those of the other jurisdictions, I do not have that detail at hand but I am happy to bring it back to you.

MR SPEAKER: Mr Doszpot, a supplementary question?

MR DOSZPOT: Thank you, Mr Speaker. Minister, is the system for dealing with disruptive tenants working well? If so, why?

MS BURCH: Thank you, Mr Doszpot. It is my understanding that the orders that we put in place from mid last year are working well. We have got 53 applications. ACAT is supportive and is processing those well. Behaviour has been modified. There are perhaps always some areas of improvement across any system, but the feedback we are getting is that the process and systems we have in place for disruptive behaviour are working well.

MR SPEAKER: Ms Porter, a supplementary question?

MS PORTER: Yes, thank you. Minister, what other steps are taken prior to such orders being necessary when disruptive behaviour is first reported?

MS BURCH: I thank Ms Porter for her question. Disruptive behaviour is taken very seriously. The department, Housing ACT and the housing managers work closely with all residents through that. It is not just a case of going in and managing the disruptive behaviour; it is also around managing their clients’ needs. It is not just a housing program. Whilst we are the largest landlord, we are also very much driven by the social needs of our clients. So we manage the community, their social needs and those as individuals, as well as their disruptive behaviour.

Housing—public

MR DOSZPOT: My question is to the Minister for Disability, Housing and Community Services. Minister, how many public housing tenants live in existing high-density public housing in the inner north and inner south?

MS BURCH: I thank Mr Doszpot for the question. Whilst we have 23,000-plus tenants in public housing, the detail about where they are in any street or block, I will have to come back to you on that.


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