Three strikes and you’re out — tough new Housing Trust policy to dump disruptive tenants

The most disruptive Housing Trust tenants face a three-strikes eviction policy from today as the organisation tries to rein in the most anti-social behaviour.

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Housing Trust tenants who make life hell for neighbours or trash taxpayers’ property will be subjected to a three-strikes eviction system from today.

The policy, released to The Advertiser by Human Services Minister Michelle Lensink ahead of a launch today, replaces a hands-off departmental policy which gave tenants up to seven warnings to behave before being evicted.

“Housing SA tenants who engage in serious and ongoing antisocial behaviour will come under greater scrutiny, get fewer warnings and face eviction if they do not improve their behaviour,” said Ms Lensink, pictured.

“Serious antisocial behaviour includes things like illegal activity on properties such as cultivating prohibited drugs and assaulting neighbours or Housing SA staff or contractors, or damaging a property leaving it uninhabitable.”

The policy does not preclude immediate eviction for the worst criminal behaviour but for the first time, spells out in detail the exact nature of 13 types of bad behaviour that will attract an official “strike”.

Ms Lensink warned that the new policy also meant some frequent offenders already on two strikes from the old policy were now on their last chance, and said they had been informed of this.

Housing Trust tenants have for decades complained in the media about a minority of fellow tenants who make life difficult for them, and thousands of homes each year are uninhabitable because of wilful damage.

Thirteen specific behaviours have now been classified as “serious”, “moderate”, and “minor”, with one or a combination leading to a “breach” notice. Serious breaches are defined as a risk to the safety or security of people or property. A moderate breach involves a breach of the peace, and a minor breach will be lesser anti-social behaviour.

Rubbish and damage in yard of Housing Trust house. (Pic: Housing Trust)

Ms Lensink stressed the State Government recognised the majority of Housing SA tenants were respectful and well behaved.

Evictions will be administered by the South Australian Civil and Administrative Tribunal (SACAT).

Housing Trust Tenants Association spokeswoman Julie McDonald said great care would need to be taken when applying the policy.

“Appropriate supported housing and hostels in the first instance, would be a better option for some risky people, before granting access to our inadequate, shrinking public housing,” she said.

Ms Lensink said the Housing Trust would also be bringing in expertise from other departments to help with some complaints like mental health issues, environmental damage or noise issues, so that dealing with serious repeat offenders could become a priority.

The Housing Trust rules

Serious breach of the rules (and can result in immediate eviction)

(Risk to the safety or security of people or property, may result in criminal charges.)

PRODUCING or distributing child exploitation material.

MAKING selling any prohibited drug.

DELIBERATELY damaging the property.

ASSAULTING a person in or near the property.

Moderate breach

Breach of the peace including;

ABUSE intimidation or harassment of neighbours, Housing SA staff or

contractors.

HATE speech e.g.; race, gender, sexual orientation.

PROPERTY damage.

HOON driving near property.

OUT of control parties.

MINOR anti-social behaviour.

Minor breach

OBSCENE language, bullying and harassment of neighbours, Housing SA staff or

contractors.

NUISANCE noise.

VANDALISM graffiti, rubbish dumping.

Source: Housing Trust.