Wednesday, 13 November 2024

Southern Metropolitan Region

Georgie CROZIER (Southern Metropolitan) (12:46): My question is for the Minister for Housing. This week I was contacted by a constituent Geoff, who lives in a flat in Greeves Street, St Kilda, under a tenancy agreement with community housing provider HousingFirst. In his email to me he explains that there are a number of flats in this complex that have been set aside for social housing. When I spoke with Geoff he told me that he and his neighbours are now very concerned that some of these flats that are designed for older low-income earners are being put up for sale when residents were led to believe their tenancies were permanent. He said:

None of the tenants have had any advice of this action and the proposed sale is causing serious concern about our tenure. I have been consulting with several other tenants regarding this message.

They are very anxious about what might be proposed. My question for the minister is: can the minister explain why social housing is being sold off, creating uncertainty for these residents and reducing access to affordable housing?