Call for public housing tenant crackdown in South Australia after spike in police visits to public housing

Police have been called to a public housing complex 22 times in 35 days, prompting calls for urgent action as violence spills onto the street.

Police have been called to a South Australian public housing complex 22 times in 35 days, with the state opposition calling for urgent action to improve tenants’ safety amid claims locals are “scared to walk past”.

The opposition released Freedom of Information documents on Sunday revealing South Australia Police were called to a Hectorville Housing Trust unit complex on Hectorville Rd, in western Adelaide, after receiving 22 calls between December 1, 2023 and January 4 this year.

A growing number of crimes have been reported to police about the Hectorville Housing Trust unit complex. Picture: Google Maps

The reported alleged crimes included assault, domestic violence, serious criminal trespass and theft at the property.

The documents state officers were also called to a fire and siege on December 9, which resulted in police smashing through a door to detain a resident, while seven of the call-outs were documented as an “inquiry” by police.

The opposition have slammed the government for “going soft” on troublesome housing commission tenants.

Opposition social and community housing spokeswoman Michelle Lensink called on the government to act quickly by moving on troublemakers to ensure tenants were safe.
Ms Lensink said the government had the responsibility to ensure housing commission tenants felt safe in their own homes.

“I know of families desperate to receive that phone call to say there is a housing trust home ready for them – and some of these South Australians have been waiting years already,” Ms Lensink said.

Opposition social and community housing spokeswoman Michelle Lensink says the government needs to act quickly by moving on troublemakers to ensure tenants are safe. Picture: NCA NewsWire / Roy VanDerVegt

“Peter Malinauskas and (Human Services Minister) Nat Cook must come down hard on troublemakers and disruptive tenants because serious acts of violence cannot be tolerated at housing trust complexes.

“Those who commit violent crimes and property damage need to be moved on quickly so neighbours can feel safe and the property is made available for a family in urgent need of a home.

“We must remember that many housing trust complexes are already occupied by families with small children and it’s upsetting and dangerous that young people are being exposed to violent behaviour.

“Children would be terrified to witness police smashing down a door during a siege and it’s unacceptable that people who do the right thing have to watch this.”

SA Police have been called to the Hectorville Housing Trust unit complex 22 times since December 1. Picture: Google Maps

Hartley MP Vincent Tarzia said the recent spike in reports made to police was concerning.

Mr Tarzia added there had been a 25 per cent jump in housing trust complaints over the past financial year and more than 130 complaints a week on average.

SA Liberal MP Vincent Tarzia says the government needs to do more to ensure public housing is safe for everyone. NCA NewsWire / David Mariuz

“These figures are shocking – 22 police reports in just 35 days and we are talking serious crimes including a siege, assault and domestic violence,” Mr Tarzia said.

“I’ve received many complaints about the complex and there are residents who live in the area who are genuinely scared to walk past (it).

“That’s because crime and fights occurring inside the complex are spilling out into the street and that is unacceptable.”

But Human Services Minister Nat Cook said it “really disappointing” that the opposition would use “highly vulnerable people” as a tool to try to score political points.

“I reached out to Mr Tarzia, the local Liberal MP, to offer a site meeting and better co-ordinate any response that might be needed,” Ms Cook said.

“But he rejected this offer, saying he didn’t want to waste the government’s time.

“Today the Liberals, however, have made time to complain about the same anti-social behaviour policy enacted under their own government while failing to mention the Liberals slashed more than $20m each year from Housing SA and axed 200 staff.”

However, Mr Tarzia said on Monday he did contact Ms Cook in December about the incidents at the housing complex but did not receive a “significant response”.

“I first wrote to the minister about very serious incidents at the complex on December 12th, 2023. I received no significant response from the government for a month,” he said.

Mr Tarzia did not confirm whether future discussions with Ms Cook would take place.

Ms Cook said the vast majority of Housing SA tenants were responsible and reliable neighbours.

“The policy to manage a small number of disruptive tenants, often with complex needs, remains consistent and is continually assessed,” she said.