Provision of social housing

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Report of the Auditor-General No. 8 of 2015-16

Provision of social housing

Housing Tasmania (HT), which forms part of the Department of Health and Human Services, is charged with implementing programs to provide affordable housing to Tasmanians most in need. In the last decade or so, HT has implemented a range of strategies to diversify social housing assistance to meet the needs of vulnerable people at risk of homelessness and housing stress. In recent years, much has changed, especially with the introduction of Housing Connect and Better Housing Futures.

Housing Connect
In 2013, Housing Connect was introduced as a collaboration between HT and non-government organisations (NGOs). Housing Connect through Front Door services provides access to common assessment, a shared statewide waiting list and integrated service delivery to social housing clients. It was intended to not only provide an easier means of placing applicants on the housing waiting list but also to provide support that may result in the removal of a need for long-term housing assistance or to sustain existing tenancies.

Better Housing Futures

The implementation of the Better Housing Futures program resulted in four NGOs taking over the management of a third (around 4000 high-density, broad-acre properties) of HT’s total portfolio. In March 2013, management of the first tranche of properties (around 500) was transferred from HT control, with the final tranche transferred in July 2014. A consequence of these arrangements was that the NGOs were now responsible for collecting the rent, performing maintenance and providing a point of contact for the tenants.

The audit objective was to form conclusions on the effectiveness and efficiency of the provision of social housing and other government assistance provided by HT and NGOs to Tasmanians in housing stress.

The audit included HT and NGOs involved with:

  • Community Housing
  • Better Housing Futures
  • Housing Connect.

The audit concentrated on the five-year period 1 July 2009 to 30 June 2014. More recent data was used where available.