OAKESHOTT INDEPENDENT

FIXED LEASE TERMS ARE NOW IN OPERATION AS PART OF PUBLIC HOUSING REFORMS

Any Department of Housing tenant on the Mid-North Coast will now, as of this month, have to meet two critical 'lease review' standards to gain an extension to their lease of public housing, Independent MP for Port Macquarie, Robert Oakeshott said today.

"The first criteria will be whether there has been a substantial change to the household income since the lease was first taken out. This is to ensure that the household income is not outside the limits that apply, before a lease extension is considered, Mr Oakeshott said.

"Secondly, a lease will not be renewed if it can be proven that the tenant owns real estate or property that could provide a viable alternative to public housing, said Mr Oakeshott.

"These are some of the most fundamental changes I have seen in the past ten years of dealing with the Department of Housing. The culture shift of the past twelve months has been one of rather than giving someone a "house for life", to one that encourages tenants to move through the pathway towards private accommodation, and attempts to target those truly in need, Mr Oakeshott said.

"The length of the leases offered has also become more flexible. Leases will be offered on a 2, 5, or 10-year basis according to the household need. As part of this, there will be greater flexibility to determine the tenant's current accommodation needs to make sure they are suitable for the size and composition of their household, Mr Oakeshott said today.

"These are big changes in the culture of the Department of Housing and I certainly am hoping they will assist in improve stock availability for those most needy, Mr Oakeshott said.

31 August 2007