Minister for Human Services Nat Cook has reassured Mount Gambier residents the government is committed to increasing public housing.
The statement comes after Mount Gambier resident and Kefi Supports co-founder and chief executive Toby Harrap raised concerns after struggling to find housing for a Category 1 participant.
Category 1 and 2 are households in the most urgent need of housing and as of June 1, 2023 in the Limestone Coast region on the Public and Aboriginal Housing Register 183 households are category 1 (26%) and 165 are households are Category 2 (24%).
Additionally, 363 households are Category 3 (51%) who are not in urgent need of housing and have registered an interest in public housing.
“Nothing is more fundamentally important to a quality life than a safe, affordable home,” Minister Cook said.
“The Malinauskas Labor Government is delivering the first substantial increase to public housing in a generation – building an additional 564 public homes for South Australians in need and stopping the sale of 580 others.
“Earlier this year we announced we will provide an additional 1144 public homes by mid-2026 than would have been the case under the plans of the former government.
“The new homes and reduced sales are part of our commitment of an extra $232.7m over four years for public housing that also includes major upgrades to 350 vacant homes and additional maintenance on 3000 more.
“With around 33,000 properties across the state, the Authority has a number of vacant properties at any given time as tenants move out or as major works are undertaken.
“Properties undergoing minor maintenance are usually tenanted.
“Those undergoing major maintenance are vacated for livability and safety reasons and allocated to tenants once repairs are finished.”
Minister Cook said under the government’s Public Housing Improvement Program, 10 houses were being built in Mount Gambier with another six to be built.
“Additionally, 16 homes in Mount Gambier are undergoing maintenance under the program, with 13 tenancies accepted or under offer,” she said.
“Seven more have been improved under the 3000 maintenance program- these properties are usually tenanted already.
“This is a significant investment in ensuring those across the South East have a safe and fit for purpose home.”
