Housing NSW adds injury to insult for community housing tenants

The NSW Dept of Housing has obliged community housing organisations to
increase the amount their in rent.

“At a time when the federal Government is under mounting criticism
for its failure to raise pensions, pensioners living in community
housing have received a second blow”, said Ms Hale.

“A pensioner contacted me today. He had received a letter, saying
that a change in Government policy means his rent will go up by $32 a
fortnight from July 1.

 “The Greens support the expansion of community housing. More
resources are necessary, but this should not be achieved by clawing more
money from the tenants’ meagre incomes.

“This shows once again that the Housing Minister is out of touch with
the needs of low income tenants.

“The Office of Community Housing calls this a ‘change in rent
setting policy’. The Greens call it a rip-off of the poor and
unwell”, concluded Ms Hale.

Contact: Chris Holley on 02 9230 3030 or 0437 779 546

[via Sylvia Hale MLC Media Release Thursday 22 May 2008 link]