The Newman Government’s three-strikes policy for rogue social housing tenants appears to be working, with new figures showing most people are curbing their behaviour after being issued with a first strike.
Since the crackdown was introduced on 1 July this year, wayward tenants throughout the state have been issued with 307 first strikes for actions such as aggressive and obscene behaviour and trespassing on neighbouring properties.
Tenants appear to be getting the message with only 23 receiving a second strike and none receiving a third.
In the electorate of Burnett there have been has been only one household receiving a “Strike One” message.
The three-strikes policy was designed to give wayward tenants ample opportunity to remedy their behaviour if they are issued a strike.
It’s still early days but the initial data suggests when tenants are issued a first strike most of them take note and straighten up.
While the policy is designed to give tenants a chance to remedy problem behaviour, more severe or illegal actions can result in a “first and final” strike.
To date, 25 households around Queensland have moved on after being issued with a “first and final” strike for unacceptable activities such as severe property damage or drug manufacturing.
There are 22,000 households on the social housing waiting list in Queensland including 7 in Burnett, and 433 in Bundaberg.
People need to understand that public housing is a privilege that comes with certain responsibilities.
If you don’t respect the privilege you have been given there are plenty of people who would love to take your place.
Households evicted under the three-strikes policy face a three month exclusion before they can re-apply. If the same household re-enters the social housing system they will be offered a one year lease and be required to sign a good behaviour bond.