There is a long wait to reach the top of the list for the allocation of a public housing home in New South Wales. Those starting this journey expect the waiting time to be measured in years.
Unfortunately, public housing has developed an expectation that when a tenant gets accommodation where the rent is pegged to a proportion of income earned, that will be their home for " life " !
It was not intended that way. The Housing Commission builds a wide variety of accommodation types and sizes and tries to match these to the needs of individuals. Those needs are constantly changing. A young couple's needs expand when they start a family, and eventually revert to a much smaller need when they enter old age. In theory, they would be moved to more suitable accommodation several times during their lifetime.
Sadly, that does not happen and we now have many three bedroom homes still occupied by a single tenant. There is resistance to moving and the government is considering a heavy handed approach to free up the public housing stock and apply wisdom to it's allocation.
The income percentage rentals will still apply, but those with homes containing bedrooms beyond their needs will need to move to smaller accommodation - or face a punative tax. It is proposed to levy an extra $ 20 per week rent for each unused bedroom on single home occupiers - and $ 30 when that home is occupied by a couple.
That is likely to face fierce resistance. Usually an accommodation change involves relocation to a different suburb - and that means ending associations with the local shopping centre, favoured amenities - and the former close association with friends and neighbours. Rarely is suitable alternate accommodation available nearby.
This suggestion throws the spotlight on the very core of public housing thinking. It was a socialist objective to have the public purse provide rental housing for the underprivileged. This rental was tied to income and it was presumed that when tenants got onto their financial feet they would move on into the private rental market - or join the list of home owners.
It didn't turn out that way. Once some people gain Housing Commission tenancy they intend to remain tenants for life, and often there are rorts involved. Sometimes rising income is understated, and in some instances there are undeclared tenants living in a building officially housing a single pensioner.
Logic and reason suggest that the public housing stock should be managed to bring the utmost benefit to the many, but this is being sabotaged by selfish refusal to accept placement at a level commensurate with each tenants needs.
A more pragmatic approach will shorten the public housing queues !
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