This week, the Queensland government unveiled their new policy. Under this policy, a public housing tenant can be evicted for accumulating three warnings for serious, but not criminal, behavior in a year. This provision will go into effect this July. It seeks to do so in part by addressing persistent issues of property destruction and violence by tenants. In line with the new directive, evicted public housing tenants will be subject to an automatic 12-month exclusion from re-application of public housing. If they have been evicted for criminal activity, the ban is extended to two years.
This marks the fifth time that the federal government has responded to alarmingly unfortunate data. More than 12,000 social housing properties were damaged last financial year, costing taxpayers more than $20 million in repairs. Officials stress that the intent of the new policy is not to increase evictions but to promote safety and accountability within the public housing system.
Details of the New Policy
The policy provides a clear framework for addressing tenant misconduct. Tenants who willfully and serially destroy property or make menacing statements to other residents can be evicted. This step only happens after they’ve accumulated three warnings in a twelve month period. Sam O’Connor, Queensland’s Minister for Housing, called this policy a game-changer. It endeavors to create a fairer, more equitable system overall.
“This is not about increasing evictions; it is about making sure that this behavior stops,” – Sam O’Connor
O’Connor was careful to note that housing officers would have discretion in applying more progressive consequences to defaulting tenants. Doing it this way means that only the worst of the offenders will actually be targeted. He said he was sure that this would protect the bulk of the law abiding tenants while getting rid of bad behavior.
Additionally, starting from July 1, the government will conduct annual rent reviews to verify that social housing recipients remain within income limits. This is a bold first step. Housing assistance desperately needs to be better aligned with the current economic reality.
Responses from Stakeholders
The announcement hasn’t been well received by those who build, manage and work with social housing. Chief Executive of Micah Projects, Karyn Walsh said the new policy was disappointing. She contended that these types of policies would not only fail to decrease homelessness, but could target marginalized communities at a higher rate.
“I understand the issues that social housing is facing, but I think there are other ways that we need to be addressing it because it disproportionately is going to affect the most vulnerable in our community,” – Karyn Walsh
Walsh highlighted the ripple effects these new bans could have on eligibility for other services. She cautioned that vulnerable people unable to reapply for housing will face further challenges. These challenges may further exacerbate barriers to accessing much-needed assistance through homeless services.
Aimee McVeigh, another leader in the fight for social housing, agreed. She emphasized just how important it is to read the fine print on policy details. This level of scrutiny is crucial for protecting disadvantaged populations, like our children, from being disproportionately harmed.
“We really need to see the detail in the policy to make sure this doesn’t unfairly and adversely impact some of the most vulnerable people in our community,” – Aimee McVeigh
Government Justification and Future Consultations
Despite the criticisms, the Queensland government maintains that the new policy is essential for maintaining order and safety within public housing communities. As officials contend, a pattern of damage, hostility, or violence threatens the safety and peace of law-abiding residents.
O’Connor said the team conducted 270 hours of workshops with tenants and social housing officers. It took them a good four months to craft their policy. In his address, he highlighted the federal government’s dedication to working in a coordinated and cooperative manner with community stakeholders to rework housing strategies in the future.
“They will be able to apply discretion to make sure the people who are doing the wrong thing are the ones who are genuinely targeted,” – Sam O’Connor
As this new policy wheels towards its October 2023 implementation date, the chatter around its effects on Queensland’s social housing landscape grows louder. Advocates call for ongoing dialogue with government officials to ensure that policies serve their intended purpose without exacerbating existing challenges faced by some of society’s most vulnerable individuals.
