A LIBERAL government will crack down on anti-social and aggressive public housing tenants using a "three strikes and you're out" policy while offering rewards for tenants who look after their property. Opposition housing spokeswoman Jacquie Petrusma said the "three strikes" policy would reduce unacceptable behaviour such as vandalism, trespassing or intimidation and threatening of neighbours. "While the vast majority of public housing residents are great neighbours, there are some who display severe and aggressive anti-social behaviours, or maliciously damage public housing property," Ms Petrusma said. A strict code of conduct would be implemented and tenants would be given official warnings for serious breaches of the code. If they breached it a third time, they would be evicted. "Aggression and serious anti- social behaviour, including trespassing and vandalism, can be a nightmare for neighbours, whether they are other public housing or private housing residents, and can cause enormous anxiety for victims, particularly children." Ms Petrusma said other states had taken a similar approach and it had been shown to curb anti-social behaviour significantly. Last year in Queensland, 400 first warnings for serious anti- social behaviour were issued in a six-month period, while only 52 recorded second strikes and 35 had their tenancy terminated after three warnings. Someone evicted under the three strike system can reapply after a certain period of time but may only be offered a short-term lease and be made to sign a behaviour contract. The Liberals are also promising to speed up the turnover rate of properties and develop a reward scheme for good tenants. Under the Liberals, houses would be vacant for no longer than a week, rather than the current average 24 days, in a bid to reduce the chances of arson and vandalism. In nine months over 2012-13, the damage bill for arson was $2.4 million after 64 properties were damaged, including about 20 that were vacant at the time. Ms Petrusma said a reward program would be developed after consulting with stakeholders and tenants. "We believe incentives are needed, as well as deterrents like the three strike warnings, to ensure people can live in their neighbourhoods in safety and peace."
A LIBERAL government will crack down on anti-social and aggressive public housing tenants using a "three strikes and you're out" policy while offering rewards for tenants who look after their property.
Opposition housing spokeswoman Jacquie Petrusma said the "three strikes" policy would reduce unacceptable behaviour such as vandalism, trespassing or intimidation and threatening of neighbours.
"While the vast majority of public housing residents are great neighbours, there are some who display severe and aggressive anti-social behaviours, or maliciously damage public housing property," Ms Petrusma said.
A strict code of conduct would be implemented and tenants would be given official warnings for serious breaches of the code.
If they breached it a third time, they would be evicted.
"Aggression and serious anti- social behaviour, including trespassing and vandalism, can be a nightmare for neighbours, whether they are other public housing or private housing residents, and can cause enormous anxiety for victims, particularly children."
Ms Petrusma said other states had taken a similar approach and it had been shown to curb anti-social behaviour significantly.
Last year in Queensland, 400 first warnings for serious anti- social behaviour were issued in a six-month period, while only 52 recorded second strikes and 35 had their tenancy terminated after three warnings.
Someone evicted under the three strike system can reapply after a certain period of time but may only be offered a short-term lease and be made to sign a behaviour contract.
The Liberals are also promising to speed up the turnover rate of properties and develop a reward scheme for good tenants.
Under the Liberals, houses would be vacant for no longer than a week, rather than the current average 24 days, in a bid to reduce the chances of arson and vandalism.
In nine months over 2012-13, the damage bill for arson was $2.4 million after 64 properties were damaged, including about 20 that were vacant at the time.
Ms Petrusma said a reward program would be developed after consulting with stakeholders and tenants.
"We believe incentives are needed, as well as deterrents like the three strike warnings, to ensure people can live in their neighbourhoods in safety and peace."
