Concern over public housing transfers builds

One of Tasmania’s leading community housing providers has raised concerns over the Government’s plans to privatise public housing stock.

Colony 47 is the lead agency administering Housing Connect on behalf of the State Government.

Colony 47 Chief executive Therese Taylor has cast doubt on the Government’s claims that its privatisation plan has universal support in the community sector.

“There is not consensus across the community sector that the Government transferring title to the Better Housing Futures Providers is acceptable,” Ms Taylor said.

“Colony 47 would question the decision because public housing is a public asset and we believe this Government had a policy of not selling public assets.

“My concerns are that it doesn’t seem to be based on any particular business case and the need to give away titles¬ as opposed to just the management, the case for that hasn’t been established.” (Therese Taylor, Colony 47)

“The Minister has failed to produce a single shred of research or evidence to support the privatisation of 500 properties,” Shadow Human Services Minister Rebecca White said.

“In the words of the Government’s own lead agency, the Minister needs to establish the case for title transfer.”
Rebecca White MP Shadow Minister for Human Services