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Increase in affordable housing for Peel region
In view of the increasing pressure on the availability of affordable housing in Western Australia, Centrecare decided to establish a housing company to assist with this emerging...
Tony Pietropiccolo - Director
“Three strikes and you’re out”
by Tony Pietropiccolo
The recent decision by the State Government to impose a “three strikes you’re out” policy in relation to tenants in Department of Housing accommodation is one that is more than likely to lead to an increase in homelessness. The announced policy is that if tenants are deemed to have acted “anti-socially” or otherwise breached their tenancy agreement on three occasions then the Department will evict them from their homes. The Minister has asked the Department to take a hard line in relation to such matters. Under this policy the eviction rate for Department of Housing tenants will undoubtedly rise.
The policy creates the possibility of increased homelessness as former tenants seek to find alternative accommodation. Given the life experiences of many of the tenants that are likely to be affected by this policy, it could be that many will struggle to find other accommodation, this is particularly so in the current tight rental market. The policy will not deal with the problems it intends to resolve, but will only transpose and add to them.
Centrecare is particularly concerned regarding the impact this policy will have on many of the families it deals with. We know how difficult it is for the many families we support and house to retain their tenancies. Many of our colleagues work very hard to help individuals and families avoid and / or reduce homelessness. Such policies are very disappointing and are counterproductive to these efforts. If the Government is to have such a policy then it will need to offer solutions to the inevitable problems it will create. Centrecare will make its disappointment with the Government’s position known whenever possible.
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