‘Zero action’: Social housing fury as home sits empty for months
This state-managed property has been left vacant for months as new figures reveal a critical decline in social housing stock despite a multimillion-dollar taxpayer investment.
Cairns
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AMID a critical housing shortage a state-managed property at Bentley Park has been left vacant for five months as new figures reveal a decline in social housing despite a multimillion-dollar state investment.
Bentley Park residents have been left dumbfounded and angry by a house at Cadell St left to languish as unkempt gardens slowly engulf the four bedroom property.
Living opposite the house Chris Riley said the previous tenant “disappeared” five months ago.
He said it was a matter of time before vermin and snakes took the unsecured property over.
“And as soon as the rain comes you’re not going to be able to see that fence next,” he said.
“The departments need to be held accountable for their actions, which is zero.
“We’re getting an excuse (it was due to) Covid-19 but that doesn’t stop you doing your job.
“They have been here and looked at the property like that, and that was four months ago, and still nothing.
“The house is in (their) care overall, on behalf of the taxpayer. It’s not rocket science.”
Other than skip bins used to cart unwanted possessions from the house and an unregistered car removed from the driveway nothing has been done to repair the home trashed by tenants in preparation for a family in need of low-cost accommodation.
Neighbours have contacted the Cairns Regional Council local laws officer who stated hands were tied due to the house being a state-owned property.
Last month it was revealed more than 10 per cent of Queensland’s social housing stock is classed as under-occupied. While 8536 government-owned social housing properties were empty 3200 homes were deemed overcrowded.
On Tuesday damning new analysis of state government reports revealed since 2017, bedrooms in social housing stock in Cairns had dropped by 26 rooms in the four years to 2021.
The decrease on the Cassowary Coast was 22 bedrooms in the same period.
Opposition housing spokesman Tim Mander said Cairns’ social housing crisis falls firmly at the feet of the government.
“Our most vulnerable Queenslanders are being horribly let down,” Mr Mander said.
“Social housing stock has flatlined in Queensland despite an eye-watering increase in demand.”
A Department of Communities, Housing and Digital Economy spokeswoman said despite the house containing no furniture the Cadell St property was tenanted.
“Social housing tenants may be away from their property for up to eight weeks without needing approval,” the spokeswoman said.
“This property remains tenanted but, due to privacy, we are unable to comment on specifics of the tenancy.”
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Originally published as ‘Zero action’: Social housing fury as home sits empty for months
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