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Free newspaper of the Tenants' Union of NSW Issue 79 July 2005
• esha - p SI or mi s-s haping , deforming and s tuffing it up?
by Chris Martin
'It shouldn't be assumed that anyone This reform creates a poverty trap: tenants may lose their home if their income increases. For many people, secure, Why reshape publ~ '9c,using? has public housing for life.' At first glance, the 'reshaping public housing' affordable public housing is what enabled them to improve These were the words used by the Premier, Bob Carr, agenda seems to contradict much of th~ their circumstances - and when they are evicted they will be to announce a raft of major reforms to public housing in conventional wisdom about public housing's back at square one. This reform also means the Department NSW.Under the banner of 'reshaping public housing', the problems and how best to solve them. At first will lose the higher rents paid by tenants who wotk: and earn reforms will increase rents for existing tenants and end glance, the 'reshaping public housing' agenda higher incomes. security of tenure for new tenants in what were reported seems to contradict much of the conventional as the biggest changes to public housing in 50 years. 3. Rents. wisdom about public housing's problems and how best to solve them. For example, one of the The Tenants' Union believes that they may also be the The Department will change the way it calculates causes of the Department's precarious financial worst, both for tenants and the public housing system. tenants' rebated rents. New and current tenants who situation is the long-tenn decline in the proportion receive Family Tax Benefit Part A will have an increased As this paper goes to press, the reforms have yet to come of tenants paying market rents. Orf\tiis ·view, portion of the benefit included in the Department's rebate into effect, and most of the detail of the new policies has the Department should be looking :at Yiays·to calculation, increasing the amount of rent they pay. New yet to be worked out by the Department of Housing. increase its 'social mix' and get in tenants who and current tenants on 'moderate incomes' will pay 30 earn higher incomes and pay higher rents. per cent of their income in rent (up from 25 per cent). The Instead, a stated objective of the 'reshaping Department has said that these changes will commence public housing' reforms •s the drive even 'It shouldn't be assumed in November 2005 . 'moderate' income earners out of the system. that anyone has public Also, the Department will conduct annual reviews of So why Is the Gavernment doing this? housing for life.' the market rent of premises, and as a result may increase One explanation may be that the NSW market rents more frequently . Government is simply falling Into line witW These were the words the agenda pushed by the Commonwealth ' used by the Premier, Bob This reform means that many tenants will pay more in Government since the election-of John Howard rent, and some tenants may pay a lot more. The 30 per in 1996. The Commonwealth-State Housing Carr, to announce a raft cent rate for tenants on moderate incomes creates a poverty Agreement (CSHA), which sets out the major of major reforms to public trap: after other costs are considered, tenants may actually funding commitments of governments to public lose more than they earn if their income increases . What housing in Australia, was redrafted in 1996 housing in NSW. the Department regards as a 'moderate income ' is by most by the incoming Howard Government to state standards very modest - as low as $46 OOOfor a couple that public housing should provide 'housing There are four main areas of the with two children. assistance for the duration of need'. The CSHA has delivered less money to public housing reforms: 4. Water Charges. ever since. This agenda has its contradictions, For the first time, the Department will charge tenants however: the current CSHA also specifies that 1. Eligibility. for water, including where premises are not separately public housingauthorities niustremovewort Tenant News Issue 79 Editorial When the new story of public housing is Tenant News Edltorial Team based tenancy organisation Sharon Callaghan (Guest Editor), Pru Wirth, • Commitment to ensuring that those Michelle Jones, Cannen Jauregui groups within NSW who are particularly not the full story disadvantaged, such as Aboriginal and Contributors to this Issue Torres Strait Islander communities, people with disabilities, vulnerable youth and the by Guest Editor, Sharon Callaghan Grant Arbuthnot, Chris Martin, aged are able to access the services of Carmen Jauregui, Pru Wirth the Tenants' Union Reshaping or reforming public housing with the • Commitment to working collaboratively Views expressed the contributors by to with government, tenancy organisations promise of a new approach to tenure, eligibility criteria Tenant News are not necessarily those and other community-based groups to and fairness suggests a reasonable deal for public held by the Tenants' Union of NSW. promote equitable housing outcomes for housing tenants in NSW. the people of NSW Tenant News Coordination & Layout Design • Commitment to ensuring a productive workplace that promotes occupational However the "soft" language of reshaping or Pru Wirth health and safety for employees reforming, does not tell the whole story. What it does do though, is seek to disguise a fundamenta l shift in Copyright of Tenant News remains with the Tena·nts' Union, individual writers and our Mission statement public housing away from public towards a form of crisis artist - cartoons and drawings are not to be housing which claims to target those in greatest need. reprinted without permission. The Tenants' Union seeks to promote a New public housing tenants will only be offered short secure, affordable and appropriate housing or medium-term leases, less than two years for short environment by representing the interests Tenant News is printed by term, and long-term leases of ten years will be offered of all tenants and other renters in NSW & mpd • ---prrntlngthe news every day" by working towards just and sustainable to frail elderly tenants or those living with a disability ph (02) 9519 1022 [email protected] solutions to housing problems. and others who need significant social support. ISSN-1030-1054 We do this by: So what happened to the original Afms fJf·the ·Tenants' ·Un1on • Engaging tenants in a democratic story of public housing? The Tenants Union aims to represent the organisation interests of tenants in NSW, both private • Raising awareness of tenants' rights, and public, including boarders and lodgers developing policy solutions to housing Public housing was a valuable part of government and residential parks by: problems & conducting lobbying & law owned community infrastructure that allowed a secure, • raising -awareness about tenants' refonn activities in-support of better affordable roof over the heads of families and individuals problems and rights housing who lacked the personal and financial resources to buy • providing high quality advocacy and • Providing quality legal advice and advice to tenants a home or compete in private rental at a particular stage information services to tenants in NSW • lobbying for improvements in residential in their life. Despite the challenges that people faced • Supporting the work of tenancy tenancy laws they could keep building their community networks and organisations • promoting secure and appropriate meet new challenges without the costs and stress of • Operating an efficient & productive housing solutions frequent family upheaval. Casual or irregular paid secretar • supporting, training and resourcing work, for example , would not mean that your public local, independent statewidetenants housing could be taken away, it would merely mean advice services. The Tenants' Union of NSW is a community an adjustment to your rental payment to reflect your legal centre that has been active in promoting the rights of more than 1.5 million tenants in changing income. The new reforms however, will result Vision NSW since 1976. in those on short or medium-term leases who may also Over this time we have advocated on behalf be lucky enough to get paid work, being forced into A society in which people in New South of tenants to State and Federal governments, the private rental market. The upheaval and cost of Wales are able to accesssafe, secure and we have developednumerous resources moving and leaving neighbourhood support will, without and affordable rental housing. providing infonnation for tenants and tenants' doubt, cause great hardship or worse when tenants are advocates regarding the rights of tenants retrenched from regular work. Values inNSW. The Tenants' Union applies the following Tenants' Union While directing housing towards those living with great values to the full range of its activities: Board of Directors hardship is a good thing , it should not be the only way DavidValle (chair) Sean Dugan (treasurer) to provide housing to community members. • A belief that all people have a right to safe, Joe Mannix(secretary) ordinary members: secure and affordable ~ntal housing DavidWhite, Barbara bee, RuthSimon, Jim • A belief that social-justiceis critical to the Allen and Peter Hollweck The loss of security of tenure in public housing is health of any society a short -sighted move away from maintaining diverse • Commitment to efficient- use of public communities of tenants, young, old, poor and not poor, funds to promote just housing outcomes Tenants' Union of NSW Co-op Ltd well and not well with diverse abilities and resources. for people in NSW 68 Bettington St MILLERS POINT 2000 ph 02 9247 3813 fax 02 9252 1648 Public housing neighbourhoods should reflect the • Commitment to engaging the tenants of www. tenants.erg.au richness of the broader community as NSW in the running and direction of a democratic, responsive and constituent- that inevitably benefits us all. * ~ * 2 + July 2005 mla- Tenant News Issue 79 r moved iito a new flat. -Yliere wa If you ask for consentto remove an addition n one I paid about $250 and it is not given, then you can demand to have the phon nnected. H compensation and apply to the Consumer, IFrr@mllibl~ there been an mr1~n9 llne, the Trader and TenancyTribunal, within 30 days, for a money order if you are not paid. would have taam about $50 that I am mo out, I want ' ndlord to reim se me $200. If consentto removethe additionis given,and you do How do I go ab ttlng this removeit, then you are liable for the cost of restorationof and take action in the money? Shoul~lll'C'•e have--.,een a the premises to pre-additioncondition . Tribunal pho ne there already? The phone-line-trapis very cute. If you ask for consent t money back. The R · Whether there. to remove it, the landlord may say yes. In which case es not deal with tele should be a phon~ telephonelines.So, you cannot get reimbursedyour $200. If you do have it connection available is an addition to th disconnected,you get no money for it. And; the trap is at the premises Jet is·a · reset for the next tenant. the Act. questionof habitability.The standard., _.. set up by the Act (in·s25) is "fit.for habitation". This is Section 27 means tli an objective standard; it does not take into account the withoutthe landlord'sprior "'..,.Mi~·" enmay If the landlord says no when you a.sk for consent to particular circumstancesofthetenanL .JJ'houghit is now not remove additionswithout a disconnectthe phoneline, you can demmd reimbursement normal forhouses and flats'to be comiectectto a phone . ~ ' ...... ~ - . .,. .. ., service, lack of that service ooes ·notrendef the premises uninhabitable like (for exam le) a l~clcof fresh water would. ·· ,." ~ ·. · · -· • · . ~ · : · ~ -::: <:::·-~ ...... , .. Ideally you 9egotiate with thy l~dl5?r:d, Ar ~gent for a phone 4Ile to be .connectedb~fore signing · c\Ilagreement '- ~ . . ~ to rent a plac~;and make it a tenn.of the a~eerµent. If this does not work,then seek advice.of your local Tenants Advice Service and consideryour options. * .- : ,:, ., .. .. : - ...... ~ .. :.. relation to rent, some of them have .concerns in If you-~ ;m_ore :in[(fflllat,iQn:OJ !lf~t,eeking relation to their bonds, disputes relating to their assistance you can contact your local Tenants capacity to recover their bonds." Advice and Advocacy Service. ~ - . .... Tenancy Advice and Advocacy Services provide ABC Online, Wedne:S~Y, !uly.,6,.2005,. -7_:1?aT[l-(~JJ. http: free and confidential advice and advocacy for llwww.abc.net.aulnews/newsitems/2fJ050'1/s ·1.40.7661.htm private and public tenants, residential park residents, boarders and lodgers. .. Services provide a valuable role in their local community, apart from providing advice and Eastern Area Tenants SeNice receMng their cheque from Paul Pearoo (Member for Coogee) L to R Amie Meers, Paul Pearce, Jo Kwan advocacy they also conduct community education Directors R quired: The Office of Fair Trading has approved funding The Tenants'Union of New South Wales, for the Tenants Advice and Advocacy Program Co-operativeLimited (TU) is a ri'cii,:.piofit across NSW for the next three years. co-operativefounded in 1976 and located in, Sydney,New ~o~~ . Wales.~A$ well as beinQthe peak resourceunit tor.the Tenants' The ABC online reported that "up to 27 ,OOO Advice andAdvocac~Prograrn.acrossNSW , renters incur problems with rent, bond recovery the TU is also a ·specialist communitflegal centre. and house repairs each year:' ...... ~ . . The Tenants' Uoion pf New South Wales is The Minister for Justice, John Hatzistergos, told seeking expressiQ.ns_of infere~tfrpl'fl P,eopte interested in· serving in a vol\Jntarycapacity the ABC "there are 1.5 million tenants in NSW on the Boardof Directors. and amongst them are some of the most vulnerable - - ,. ' " . , people in our community." . . . Interested ·persons-shoutctcont:ict the Executive01ifrcer, Michelle Jon'eson '21272- Tenants' Union staff from left at the back: Sarah Drury, Michelle 7208 for an informationpackage , ·interested He went on to say that ''for this reason, $7 million Jones, Chris Martin, Grant Arbuthnot . Front from left : Sue p~rties l'T"tl.s\ a~d~r.~ss ,selecJicin.,cr:,i.teria Phoo, Ca1111enJauregui, Simone Montgomery, Jul(~nne Reilly , of funding is being provided in NSW for a program . incl~ded in ~~r,f9m.,aJ~ Pi:ICJ(a,Qer .. which will provide advice and advocacy assistance Applications~os~ Thursday2& July-2005 to these tenants . Some of these people have issues sessions on a range of topics about renting and the ~ elating to repairs which they cannot law. -~ resolve,othershaveproblems in July2005 +.3 • • • • Tenant News Issue 79 Reshaping Public Housing FAQs ... thispage continued from page 1 Becaus e the Department has yet to work out the details of the reforms, there are Whatcan I doabout these reforms? knowabout your housing conditions - how much it costs, some questions for which we do not yet have an answer . Check the Tenants' Union's whetheryou have had a hardtime finding housing, and website for updates. Ringor write to your local Member of Parliament. Write whetheryou have had to movea lot. to the Premierand the Ministerfor Housing. Letthem Talkto yourneighbours about your concerns . Checkthe blowhow the reforms are going to affectyou . Which of the reforms apply to current tenants, and which of the Tenants'Union's website for sample letters, and the latest If youare a currenttenant, let them blow how the rent reforms will apply to new tenants? informationabout the reforms . increaseswill affect you - especiallyif the increases Generally speaking, current tenants will be affected only by the changes to rents willmake you leave your job, or turn downwork. Let and rent subsidies, and the water charges . New tenants will be affected by all of the themblow howthe rentincreases and the so-called What is the Tenants' Uniondoing reforms: that is, the changes to eligibility, the changes to tenure, the changes to rents watercharge will affectyour household lulget - what about these reforms? and rent subsidies, and the water charges. But see the Department's fact sheets, and youwill have left to spendon food, medicines and other the answers below, for more particular information. The TU has toldthe Governmentthat it is opposed necessities,and what you may have to go without.Let to thereforms. The TU will, however, consult with the themblow whatthe security offered by public housing Departmentas it worksout the detailsof the reforms, hasmeant for you. I know someone who is on the waiting andtry to getthe bestdeal it canfor current tenants, new list, and has been for years. Are they affected by the reforms? If youare on the waiting list for public housing, let them tenantsand applicants. The Department ~ays that people who were on the waiting list from before 27 April 2005 (the date tbe reforms were announced) will remain on the waiting list and be eligible for housing if they continue to satisfy the old (that is, pre-27 April 2005) eligibility criteria . I've already received a rent increase notice! Is this because of If and when they are offered a tenancy, they will be affected by the changes to tenure, the new policies? the changes to rents and rent sut?sidies, and the water charges. In May this year , the Department began sending out notices to increase the market rent for its properties. The market rent is the underlying rent for the premise s, before any rent subsidy is taken into account . Tenants who receive a rent subsid y are not I'm a current tenant. If I get a directly affected by an increase in market rent (though they would have to pay the transfer, will I have to sign increased amount if they were , for whatever reason , to lose their rent subsidy). The a fixed term agreement? increases to market rents are different and separate from the changes that have been No. The Department has said that the changes to tenure will not affect current announced for rent subsidies - the Department should have made this clearer in its tenaiits, including if you transfer to another property and sign a new agreement. If the letters to tenants. Department asks you to sign a new fixed term agreement, contact your local Tenants Advice and Advocacy ~ervice. I've been told that each household will pay an average amount ' •• + • .. • of $4 per week for water. Does that mean everyone pays the I'm currently on a 3-year fixed term agreement under the same? renewable tenancies policy. Will I go onto one of the new types It may sound like that , but no . The Department has said that tenants of premises of fixed-term agreements? without individual meters will pay a charge on top of their rent. The amount of the No. The Departmeat ,says-that no current tenants will go onto the new type of fixed charge will depend on the amount of your rent. The Department will calculate the ~term agreeme.rlf.,i11cltlclingtenants wh How will the new 30 per cent rent rebate rate for 'moderate I've heard that new tenants wiH have income' earners apply? to sign one-year fixed term agreements. At the moment we don't know . The Departm ent's fact sheet gives several 'example s' Is this true? of moderate incomes, but the Departm ent has yet to work out what it will regard as a The Department has said that from 1 July 2005, new tenants will sign fixed term 'moderate income' for all household types. Also , the Department has yet to work out agreements of one year while it works out its new policy on fixed term agreements . how the 30 per cent rate will apply when a household passes the 'moderate income' After the policy is worked out (the Department says it is aiming for July 2006) and threshold . At the moment we understand that the Department is looking at phasing an their fixed-terms are due to expire , each of these tenants will be offered a short, increased rate, so that people who earn just over the 'moderate income ' threshold will medium or long-term tenancy , depending on their circumstances. pay just over 25 per cent of their incom e in rent , rather than the full 30 per cent. Some tenants have received letters stating that the average rent increase for moder ate income earners will be $30 per week. Depending on how the rate is applied, it may be I'm confused about these 'eligibility criteria'. What's it mean? less or it may be more . Until we know how the new rate will be applied , it is impossible Perhaps a good way to under stand it is this: under the reforms, there will actually be to say what anyone's rent increase will be. three sets of eligibility criteria: • first , the criteri a to determine whether you get into public housing; • second , the criteria to determin e wheth er you get a short, medium or long-term tenancy agreement; and ...... tlcl J'OUget yourIIIIW7' ••c.r Becausethe Ministersaw it on TV,must the story Trtpoclfalls for an urban 111,tll be true? The last time ACAran 'BMW--Orivingpublic • third, the criteriato determine whetheryou getto stayin publichousing when the fixed term Whenannouncing the 'reshaping' reformsand new tenant'story, a rcsideDtof the buildingfeatured rang the of youragreement is ending. rulesaimed at forcingmoderate income earners out of TU to tell usthat the carsin questiondid not belongto publichoming, Minister Tripodi gave an exampleof the tenautsbut instead were pam:d there by a business in the sort of personthe Govcmment.wasafter. 'Under the new area. The TU rangthe Departmeutand confirmedthat How much money is the Department raising through the rent ~gements ~c'll m;ikean ~ent and ask:you, for the Dcpartmeotbas a commen:ialanangement with an increases and water charges? What is it being used for? ~e. pleaseexplajn w~re yougot yourBMW from. inlemational~ associationwhereby iu members Th e Departm ent says that the chan ges to rent and rent subsidies are expected to may the car-park. These businesspeople are, of If youcan't explain,you'll be ~cd to leave.' ~ raise an additional $340 million dollars over ten years , and the water char ges an course,completely entitled to drivearound in luxury _Formany people, the image of tJicBMW-driving public additional $300 million over ten year s. Th e Department has said that this money cars. housingtenant will seem at once strange,yet strangdy will help 'build or acquir e 12 OOOn ew hom es in the next ten years '. familiar. Everyyear or so A qurentAffair andToday There maybe otherexplanations for other BMW Note that these are not add itional new hom es: inst ead they will replace r====-i Tonightrun a story about'BMW- Zimbabwe: Mass Evictions Constitute Leckie added, "This case shows the importance Human Rights Abuse of respecting all human rights. Lack of democracy Zimbabwe's mass evictions campaign could amount to a in Zimbabwe has contributed to poverty. Rising crime against humanity cautioned the Geneva-based Centre unemployment has led to the expansion of the informal on Housing Rights and Evictions (COHRE), a leading sector. The recent forced evictions and brutal demolitions international human rights group working towards the have started a domino-effect that will soon topple the promotion and protection of the right to adequate housing. other rights of thousands of Zimbabweans to work, food, The evictions violate both 'the International Covenant on Civil housing, healthcare and children's education." and Political Rights (ICCPR) and the International Covenant Source: COHRE media release, june28 2005 www.cohre.org on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights (ICESCR)" says Scott Leckie, Executive Director of COHRE. Serbia : Housing Centre in Belgrade * . The Association of Tenants from Serbia and In mid-May, the police and military in Zimbabwe UK Exhibits Extreme Use Of Montenegro, together with the IUT and support from commenced 'Operation Restore Order' (Murambatsvina), a Anti Soclal Behaviour Order's the Olof Palme International Centre, will initiate a mass displacement and eviction campaign aimed at informal project aiming at setting up a Housing Centre in central sector traders and residents living in informal settlements Belgrade. This will be a service centre open to the As the use of Anti-SocialBehaviour Orders has across the country. "The Statute of the International Criminal public for inquires about housing in general; such as increased,courts have becomebolder and more Court clearly prohibits the deportation and forcible transfer of rents, legal rights, tenancy agreements, where to look inventivewith regardto tailoringthem aroundail for a flat, etc. The Centre will co-operate with other population under certain conditions that appear to be present individual'scase. Many of these prohibitionsare consumer and human rights organisations . in the Zimbabwean operation." Leckie cautioned. absurdsimply because the act liableto landthem a prisonterm is so clearlynot of a criminalnature, Source: Global Tenant,March 2005, http://www.iutnu/ In the last three weeks, more than 22,000 people have been The Bridge family - The first case ofa famMy· Germany : Privatisation of Public arrested for so-called 'illegal trading', while over 200,000 ASBO in which a marriedcouple and their three Housing people have been forcibly evicted without notice and their sonshave been banned from congregating~~ homes or stalls demolished. Police used guns, batons, outsidetheir home in groupsof more than two. Germany's largest public housing owner, the GAGFAH, Otherconditions of the orderinclude an 11pm-7am has sold its housing stock because of serious national sledgehammers , bulldozers, flamethrowers and torches to curfewand bans on the use of foul languageand budget problems. GAGFAH is owned by the public destroy the dwellings and intimidate the occupants. COHRE the enteringof the localpolice station and council national pension funds and owns 81 ,OOOflats in has also learnt that several occupants were forced to destroy buildings. Germany. The stock was sold to a private US-pension their own homes at gunpoint, despite having government company. Last summer another US company bought issued residence permits. Daisy - A 17-year-old profoundlydeaf girl was 60,000 flats from the GSW, GemeinnutzigeSiedlungs servedan orderfor .spittingin public,H.a\lk'Vbroken und Wohnungsbaugesellschaft, one of the major public it she is currently·in prison-on remand:- · . ~ • ,.· housing companies in Berlin. The German Tenants' The Government of Zimbabwe has claimed that Union, DMB, was able to increase their influence Operation Restore Order was necessary to prevent 'illegal concerning all issues in relation to the social rent Alexander M. is the oldestrecipient of an orderto trading' in commodities and foreign currency. "Mugabe's law, ensuring strong individual rental agreements and date.At 87 yearsof age he is, amongother things, protection against notices to quit. "Together with the mismanagement of the economy has created an unemployment forbiddenfrom being sarcastic to his neighbours. government we managed to make a pretty good deal crisis, with 70 percent of Zimbabwe's workforce currently out for the tenants living in the GAGFAH houses" says of work. The very people made destitute by his policies have Source:Global Tenant, March 2005 .. Barbara Litke at the DMB. been violently deprived of their only remaining sources of http://www.iut.nu/ - ;1 Source: Global Tenant,March 2005, http://www.iutnu/ income and shelter." said Leckie. The evictions also ignore the important role played by the informal sector in sustaining the economy. The destruction of property , businesses and houses Sweden: Black Lists only heightens Zimbabwe's current economic disaster. * In January the municipal public housing company in Malmo, Sweden was found to have illegally registered tenants , or prospect tenants, with anti social behaviour tendencies. The register also included information such as race, ethnic belonging and mental disturbance. The Ombudsman against Discrimination and the Office ... and Around Australia of the Public Prosecutor are currently examining the case. Swedish Union of Tenants insists on guarantees Refugees face a homeless future Ms Holmes a Court was quoted as saying" I wanted to from the housing companies that no such lists are in A national study carried out by the Australian Housing Jive in a community not a street" use today. Urban Research Centre found "30% of refugees had Sydney.Morning Herald 5/5/05 Source: Global Tenant,March 2005, http://www.iutnu/ experienced homelessness" The Centre stressed that "Housing plays a critical role in the successful settlement and integration of refugees;" However a third of people Property Spiral Strands Renters in their study had faced rental discrimination. An analysis of Centrelink and Residential Tenancy Netherlands: Plans to ban poor The Australian 11/4/05 Authority figures showed struggling Queenslanders immigrants were being forced to spend a greater share of their low The city of Rotterdam has said that it wants to ban incomes on rent. Increases to rent assistance have not poor and unemployed immigrants from moving there Welcome to my neighbourhood been in line with housing costs and a multimillion and evict existing anti-social tenants. The city council One of Australia's richest women Janet Holmes a dollar injection to the scheme would be needed to has adopted a policy paper which said it sought to Court made a point of introducing herself to her newest close the gap. Social groups and the State Government restore long-term balance to the city. neighbours . Subiaco Council (In WA) has redeveloped believe the dwindlin g proportion of support has been Source: Global Tenant, some of their office space into community housing. The the catalyst to Queensland 's burgeoning public March 2005 , http: new tenants are matured aged people with diverse needs. housing waiting lists. //www.iut.nu/ The Courier-Mail - Monday February 28 2005 ... continuedon page 6 July 2005 + -5 T Tenant News Issue 79 Tenants Rate a Mention Here are a few tenancy stories which made it into NSW media in the last few months. Please feel free to send the TU your media stories, especially from radio, TV or regional newspapers. Public Tenants In Northcott Score to private investors for the princely sum of $103 OOO Public Housing: Do You Deserve It? AWin each . The property is now on the market for $315 OOO. The Department of Housing no longer wants you long The Housing Minister Joe Tripodi announced that a With 85000 people on the public housing waiting list term. Under the new proposal tenants will sign fixed term community development worker position will continue it does not seem to make to much sense financial or agreements and will be reassessed after their agreement on the Northcott Housing estate in Sorry Hills. otherwise. expires. Minister for Housing Joe Tripodi said, "the Northcott Narratives is an arts project that aims to Daily Telegraph 29/3/05 Government wants to remove subsidies from undeserving build a sustainable community through the arts. "Ms tenants" Henderson said the Northcott Narratives program, had Sydney Morning Herald 28.4.05 h~lped lower crime, revitalised the community centre Smoke Alarms A Must and improved relationships between tenants and the The NSW government announced that from May 1 wider community" .a next year it will be mandatory for all NSW homes to Would You Like To Live With Him? Sydney Central Courier 8 July 2005 have smoke alarms . Mr Carr announced that there will A share accommodation ad in the local paper goes as be a change in law " to make fire alarms , either battery follows operated or hard-wired, part of the conditions of sale A retired male owner seeking female applicants fully The Block Under Threat or rental for any home in NSW". Former Whitla:m government minister Tom Uren has employed with checkable references . Police or military 'labelled Frank Sartor the Minister for Redfern Waterloo Sydney Morning Herald 15 June 2005 women welcome. Two-week trial before long-term "arrogant."Mr Sartor believes that the "Aboriginal situation agreement. Mandatory rules no religious Housing Company's Pemulwuy Project is not sustainable excesses, politics, parties, smoking, pets, kids and NO Public Housing: Reform or in it:,current form." Mr Sartor disagrees with the proposed male visitors". Sounds ace. arginalisation? building of 62 residential dwellings . Mr Sartor wants the The NSW State Government announced a major over Sydney Morning Herald 18/4/05 Block to be mixed purpose that includes sporting, cultural haul of public housing in April 2005. and educational facilities. Gary Moore, NSW Council of Social Services Sydney Central Courier 8 June 2005-06-16 Public Housing In A State Of .. Director was quoted as saying: Disrepair "The plan runs counter to other elements of the The Government was not adequately maintaining two Surviving Share housing government's social policy, like encouraging social out of three public housing units. An Auditor General's _ The Shar~H9u~e~urvival Guide got a plug when Redfern mix and strengthening communities" report showed found that the Department was lagging 'L-egalCentie's Amy1Uthardson gave~her.tips and advice in implementing a satisfactory maintenance schedule. South Sydney Herald May 2005 for making share accommodation work on the Sunrise "Public Housing tenants were largely dissatisfied with program on Channel 7. the state of their homes ... " For more information on surviving sharehousing go to Refugees Face A Homeless Future Daily Telegraph 3/3/05 www.rlc.org.au/sharehousing. A national study carried ~ut by the Australian Housing - . . Urban Research Centre fqund "30% of refugees had Sunrise Channel 7 9/6/05 experienced homelessness" The Centre stressed that e "Housing plays a critical role in the successful settlement Public Housing Sells Out and integration of refugees;" However a third of people lt was reported that townhouses that were owned by in their study had faced rental discrimination. the Department of Housing in Sydney's West were sold The Australian 11/4/05 * FarNorth QLD ·Public Housing Waiting Solutions to Last Editions Crossword TimeTo Increase By Up To 2 Years! Thefast growing public ~ousing waitlist has affected remote tenants severely. At this momentin theFar North Queensland Region the numberof peopleon waitinglists is "approximately' 2, iso:Toaes about 5,381 persons who are just trying to getinto public housing,and this has the Regional Tenant Group and local tenant groups very concerned. Es~ciallyb·ecause it hbelieved that there are approximately 30to 40 applications being receivedbythe area office each month, allowing for any fluctuations over any given month. Andwith the curre~titat~~de waitlistsitting ~t 34,000,this must also mean that current .w.ait times will also .increaseacross the state's 17 regional areas. Some say an increase of waittimes by 2 yearsis quite possible. . . . . ' . - ' FarNorth QLD Regional Tenants' Advisory Group inc. Report,TUQ Newsletter, Jan 2005 * 6 + July 2005 • • • • Tenant News ls~e 7J 4 . Australian United Australia Party and Liberal Prime Minister, held office for a record total of 19 years (7) 5. Australian Liberal Prime Minister, the only PM to be commissioned to form a government without the confidence of the House of .Representatives (6) 6. occupies a seat in an official capacity (for example, as a judge or as a Member of Parliament) (4) 7. sincere in intent or manner (like 31 across) (7) 9 . interjection indicating hesitation or inarticulateness (2) 10. more cheerful (for example, 40 across after a beer) (7) · 11. Australian Labor Prirne Minister, had the misfortune of being elected just in time for the onset of the Great Depression (7) ACROSS 37 down and 50 down each won general elections as 14. person who delights in the suffering of 1. Australian Labor Prime Minister , pioneering social Prime Minister (4) others (for example, an employee of the Department reformer and the only PM to have lost office in a coup 53. phases or steps in a process or procedure (6) of Housing's Legal Branch) (6) de tat (7) 57. equipped with weapons (5) 16. one of the aspects of the psyche, well-developed 5.Australian LaborPrimeMinisterandTreasurerforthree 59. claim of possession over goods as security for a in 40 across (2) non-consecutive terms, established the Commonwealth debt (4) 22. thrashing or waving wildly (like 26 across's limbs Bank and the Navy (6) 60. Australian Country Party caretaker Prime Minister, in the foam off Cheviot Beach) (8) 8. Australian Prime Minister, the only one to have took office on the death of 3 down (4) 23 . Sea to the north of Australia where a decisive naval led a government with one party (Labor) and then a 61, 62 across. De Camptown ladies sing this song ... battle was fought during the term of 37 down (5) subsequent government with the opposing party (the (2, 2) 25. another stubborn animal (again, not 70 across) Nationalists) (6) 62. see 61 across (4) 12. public housing estate in which Noddy is a tenant 28 . Australian Labor caretaker Prime Minister, held (7) 64. in poor health, as were 31 across, 3 down and 37 down dµring periods of their terms in office (3) office for the shortest period of all PMs (4) 13. punctuation mark linking text to a subtext. such as 29. Australian Country Party caretaker the fine print in a contract (8) Prime Minister, nicknamed 'Black Jack ' 15. the producer of the Tenant News (3) (6) 17. stubborn animal (no, not 70 across) 30. Australian Prime Minister for three (2) non-consecutive terms, a 'founding 18. for all of whom 70 across promised to father' of .Federat ion and founder of the govern (2) first Liberal Party (6) · · · 19. colloquially, a romantic couple (for 32. period of the first fixed term of a example, 40 across and his biographer) public housing Renewable Tenancy (4) agreement (4) 20. Australian Prime Minister and a 34. catches sight of (for example , for the 'founding father' of Federation, previously a · ~-.-,purpose of-recording. in a ~ut.:>lichou~ng NSW Premier and subsequently a Member Incident Diary) (6) of the English House of Commons (4) 36. the most pushy or dictatorial (like 21. to bore (though not in the sense that 70 70 across, at least in relation to public across is wont to do) (5) servants and welfare recipients) (7) 24. the most inept or feeble (for example, 37. Australian Labor .P.rin:ie_Ministerwh .o 71 across) (6) led Australia through most of the Second 26. Australian Liberal Prime Minister, the World War, only to die just weeks before only one to leave office by disappearing off VE Day (6) the face of the planet (4) 38 . Australian Prime Minister, the first to 27. Colourful Sydney businessman, hold office as a 'Liberal' (4) nightclub owner, tax dodger and landlord 43. a frozen. lifeless mass, found always (7) at sea (rio, not the Australian Labor Party) 31. Australian Labor Prime Minister and (4) Treasurer, pioneer of the Australian welfare 44. Australian Nationalist Prime Minister, state who signed the first Commonwealth the only PM to lose both government and State Housing Agreement (7) his own seat at a general election (5) 33. in high spirits, jubilant (for example , 70 45. tight-fitting (like 40 across's Terrigal across when George W Bush mentions his beach wear) (4) name) (6) 49. peer' ot colleague; ' implicitly male 35. major pan-national ethnicity originally (6) ·- of Africa and the Middle East (6) 50. Australian Labor PrinieMinist~r and 39. member of the more reformist of the champion of economic rationalism (7) two major English political parties of the 5~ . more agile or qyick -footed (as 70 eighteenth and nineteenth centuries, which 65. Australian Country Party Prime Minister, held office across has proved to be compa red with finally evolved into the Liberal Party (4) for a Country Party record of 4 months (1, 1, 6) four Labor leaders so fa~) (7) 40. Australian Labor Prime Minister, held office for a 66. to enact again (7) 52. spicy herb, sometimes grown in public housing Labor Party record of four terms (5) community gardens (7) · · · · 69. Australian Liberal Prime Minister, the only PM to have 41 . metaphorical strings by which Australia remains been a senator (6) 54. a rule or law of mathematjcs or: logic rather :than attached to the United Kingdom (5) of government, often expressed by an equation or 70. Australian Liberal Prime Minister, the second longest formula (7) · · · 42. colloquially, a manipulator or svengali (4) serving PM and pioneer of the 'non-core' promise (6) 55. gained by work or service (6) 46. nickname of H C Coombs, renown public servant 71. Australian Liberal Prime Minister, the only Liberal and-adviser to prime ministers (6) PM never to have won an election (though he did pray 56. Australia's first Prime Minister (6) 47 . false (for example, claims made by 70 across in for victory) (7) 58. colloquially, trouble (usually de~p)(2-2) relation to asylum seekers, war in Iraq, native title , tax DOWN 61. aspiration, -hope ..or . a im (for example , policy, etc, etc) (6) 1. Australian Labor Prime Minister , leader of Australia's homeownership) (5) 48. famous raft which made an epic crossing of the - and the world's - first national Labor government 63. concept, thought or notion (according to 70 across, Pacific Ocean during the prim e ministership of 31 (6) no new good ones hav e been created since J 950) across (3, 4) (4) ' . . 2. grasping, parasitical vegetable, often found clinging 50 . brand of work wear, often worn by landlords' to old institutions while simultaneously undermining 67 : 31 across would tap this out of his pipe (3) repairmen (4, 3) them (no, not 70 across) (3) 68. see 58 down 52. numberoftimes26 across, 3 . Australian United Australia Party Prime Minister, 31 across, 69 across, 11 down, previously Treasurer in 11 down 's Labor government (5) * July 2005 + 7 . -,- ... .-· '! ~{\~ ':.,.. ;:·:.-· -.:~ e-n_·;.-.~a··-n :,ts.. } f1a····i~.e· · ·R--.c·,·g· ·-~-ts· ' ...... :. ~.::....,~- ~ .·. , . . .·; --1 .i ·' __ , -~,;( ~:~ V'- . · I ·1 • ~"' ANDr.C'>VC'>Cr\C.V .... _-,.,,- ...... , 1r-r-:f ....,,\,.,•r ..• . J*..-.,,),,- ... I ~"f. 1 -.• • ' .":. SERVICE . . ,; - ~ - , I .. _.. "'---::_,..:. ...::_ - How to avoid prob lems ~ Start by reading your residential tenancy ~ Keep a written record of what happens ~ Never sign a blank form or any papers agreement. Get some help if you can't between you and your landlord or agent, you don't understand. understand it. including what each of you said and ~ If you receive notice of a Tribunal hearing when. ~ Tell your landlord, or the landlord's agent, you should always attend. about any problems and tell them what ~ Keep copies of your: ~ If you stop paying rent you can be asked you want. You should confirm anything • Residential Tenancy Agreement to leave. Rent strikes do not work. you agree to in writing and send your landlord a copy. • Condition Report Remember: your andlord can't ~ Remember that the agent works for the • Receipts for rent and bond money, all evict you - only the Tribunal can. landlord. letters and written records. 1 For more help I'~ like4 11ew 1111 torr~ 11\f'cf,,\ ~i.tf lw, on liFe ~o,ire nt~ Q Uowed Contact your local Tenants' Advice plro~e fo brcdk'Ille al~ 011e. and Advocacy Service. Get a new Sydney Metro ease on life ... join the Inner Sydney 9698 5975 en Tenants' Inner Western Sydney 9559 2899 Union! ~ Southern Sydney 9787 4679 CD South West· Sydney 4628 1678 or 1800 631 993 :, Eastern Suburbs 9386 9147 Q) yve~tern Sydney 9891 6377 or 1800 625 956 :., Northern Sydney 9884 9605 r------~------~ ....Coastal en Membership Application '-ll lllawarra/ 4274 3475 or 1800 807 225 South Coast TAX INVOICE )> I wouldlike to applyfor membershipof the Tenants' Q. Central Coast 4353 5515 Unionof NSWCo-operative Limited ABN : 88 984 223 164 m Hunter 4929 6888 or 1800 654 504 Name/ Organisation: < -C-, Address: :::, Mid Coast 6583 9866 or 1800 777 722 C,-· -0 (D Northern Rivers 6621 1022 or 1800 649 135 Phone:(home) ~:::, D) Greater Western NSW Phone:(work) :::, Q) et This is a: (pleaset/ one) C :::, ::J North West 6772 8100 or 1800 836 268 D new membershipD renewaL ___ _ 5· Q. (MembershipNumber) :::, South West 6361 5307 or 1800 642 609 I am a: (pleaset/ one) a Specialist D tenant D tenantorganisation z )> CJ) D non-tenant D non-tenantorganisation -~ Q. Older Persons Tenants' Service 9281 9804 D other(please specify) 0) C0 CD < Parks and Village Service 9281 7967 Annualfee runsfrom 1 Januaryto 31 December, ~ 0 Aboriginal Services New memberscan pay halffees after 30 June. 5· Firstmembership fee paidcovers cost of share. (C C, 0 Western NSW 6882 3611 or 1800 810 233 unwaged$8.00 waged$16.00 organisation$32.00 -:::, tu (all includeGST component) en Southern NSW 44 72 9363 or 1800 672 185 Pleasefind enclosedcheque / moneyorder to the -co n CD Tenants'Union for: ~ Northern NSW 6643 4426 or 1800 248 913 '< Membership: ____ _ s: Greater Sydney 9564 5367 or 1800 772 721 Donation:______ro en cil Tenants' Un,ion Hotline Total: ""O CD 0 ""I Mon-Fri 9.30am-'-1 & 2-5pm 1800 251 101 I am over 18 yearsof age. I supportthe objectivesof the ....5· TenantsUnion of NSW. I\) l 0 < Signed: 0 I 0 n-· www.tenants.org.au I (D For fact-sheets and for further information about the I Date: I U> Tenants' Advice and Advocacy Program ~------~------~