Tenants’ rent ‘distress’ over shift in social housing service provider

A Tassie pensioner will need to apply for rent assistance for the first time in her life to afford to stay in her home when it’s transferred from Housing Tasmania. LATEST >>

HOUSING provider Mission Australia has moved to allay fears among some Warrane pensioners that their rents will rise when the charity takes over their tenancies from Housing Tasmania.

One 77-year-old Warrane pensioner, who has lived in her home with her child for 56 years and asked not to be named for fear of repercussions, said her rent would rise from $217 a week to $357 — or 64.5%.

“I’ve been told to apply for rent assistance, which I’ve never had in my life before,” she said.

“I’ve had no letter from Centrelink yet but my daughter has.

“I haven’t heard back from Mission Australia yet so I will keep paying my rent to Housing Tasmania at the post office the way I have always done.”

From Tuesday, Mission Australia Housing will take over management of 681 homes, including about 250 social homes at Warrane.

The management of about 250 social homes at Warrane will be transferred from Housing Tasmania to Mission Australia.

In a letter to Housing Tasmania tenants, Mission Australia outlined the three forms tenants must complete, including one to receive commonwealth rent assistance.

Mission Australia declined to comment on the pensioner’s case but said, like other community housing providers and Housing Tasmania, it ensured rent charges were based on a percentage of tenant incomes.

“Whether with Housing Tasmania or Mission Australia Housing Tasmania, tenants will have the same amount of income left after paying rent,” a spokesperson said.

“Housing Tasmania tenants currently pay a tenant contribution. Once they come across to Mission Australia Housing Tasmania, they will pay their tenant contribution and any commonwealth rent assistance they are now eligible for.

“To help minimise the impact of rental costs for our tenants, none of our tenants are ever required to pay more than 25 per cent of their assessable income as rent alongside their commonwealth rent assistance entitlement, if they receive this payment.”

Tasmanian Labor Senator Carol Brown. Picture: Peter Mathew

Labor Senator Carol Brown, who has raised concerns with Mission Australia Housing, said there was confusion among tenants about the transfer of their tenancies.

“Some tenants who have received these letters have been confused about their ramifications,” she said.

“There is confusion among tenants as to whether it is compulsory for them to sign over their lease from Housing Tasmania to their new provider.

“Given we are talking about the place people call home you can understand why there is a high degree of distress.”

Mission Australia regional manager Simon Duffy said the organisation was proud to be delivering more social homes for Tasmanians in need.

“As a Tier One community housing provider, this transfer will mean that we’ll be able to provide quality tenancy support to more local residents, link them with local services based on their individual needs and assist them to maintain their tenancies,” he said.