Labor must act on housing trust crime surge
Police are being called to a Novar Gardens housing complex once every two days, as the Malinauskas Labor Government continues to let unruly housing trust tenants run rampant.
Data obtained by the State Liberals under Freedom of Information shows police were called to the Marsh Court complex 69 times between January 1 and May 6 this year – an average of once every 1.8 days.
The reasons for the police visits included five reports of trespass, three reports of theft, 10 domestic violence incidents, two reports of assault and two reports of property damage.
Shadow Minister for Housing Josh Teague said the figures highlighted the ongoing failure of the Malinauskas Labor Government to tackle anti-social and criminal behaviour in public housing.
“These figures are deeply concerning and demonstrate the impact that a small number of disruptive tenants can have on an entire neighbourhood,” Mr Teague said.
“No tenant should have to live in fear in their own home, yet police are being called to this complex every second day.
“The overwhelming majority of Housing Trust tenants do the right thing, but Labor has allowed repeat offenders to make life miserable for their neighbours and surrounding residents.
“South Australians deserve safe and secure public housing, and these figures show there is still a long way to go.”
The State Liberals have previously called for a range of measures to improve safety for public housing tenants, including:
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Ensuring public homes are tested for methamphetamine at change of vacancy
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Establishing a safety fund of $20m over four years for those SAHT tenants who need extra protection, for items such as CCTV and screens
-
Not allowing tenants who have been evicted for anti-social behaviour to return to public housing, unless they repay any damage they have caused
-
Ensuring the three-strike warning system does not reset after six months
-
Extending safety patrols to SAHT sites where there is regular anti-social behaviour
-
Providing regular on-site SAHT staff at sites where there has been entrenched anti-social behaviour
Police are being called to a Novar Gardens housing complex once every two days, as the Malinauskas Labor Government continues to let unruly housing trust tenants run rampant.
Data obtained by the State Liberals under Freedom of Information shows police were called to the Marsh Court complex 69 times between January 1 and May 6 this year – an average of once every 1.8 days.
The reasons for the police visits included five reports of trespass, three reports of theft, 10 domestic violence incidents, two reports of assault and two reports of property damage.
Shadow Minister for Housing Josh Teague said the figures highlighted the ongoing failure of the Malinauskas Labor Government to tackle anti-social and criminal behaviour in public housing.
“These figures are deeply concerning and demonstrate the impact that a small number of disruptive tenants can have on an entire neighbourhood,” Mr Teague said.
“No tenant should have to live in fear in their own home, yet police are being called to this complex every second day.
“The overwhelming majority of Housing Trust tenants do the right thing, but Labor has allowed repeat offenders to make life miserable for their neighbours and surrounding residents.
“South Australians deserve safe and secure public housing, and these figures show there is still a long way to go.”
The State Liberals have previously called for a range of measures to improve safety for public housing tenants, including:
Ensuring public homes are tested for methamphetamine at change of vacancy
Establishing a safety fund of $20m over four years for those SAHT tenants who need extra protection, for items such as CCTV and screens
Not allowing tenants who have been evicted for anti-social behaviour to return to public housing, unless they repay any damage they have caused
Ensuring the three-strike warning system does not reset after six months
Extending safety patrols to SAHT sites where there is regular anti-social behaviour
Providing regular on-site SAHT staff at sites where there has been entrenched anti-social behaviour
No tenant should have to live in fear in their own home, yet police are being called to this complex every second day.
