Page 1734 - Week 09 - Tuesday, 17 October 1989
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Workers compensation -
Comparison of some NSW and ACT premium rates.
Ministerial statement, 17 October 1989.
I move:
That the Assembly takes note of the papers.
Debate (on motion by Mr Stefaniak) adjourned.
YOUTH HOUSING MEASURES
Ministerial Statement and Paper
MRS GRASSBY (Minister for Housing and Urban Services), by leave: This is a ministerial statement concerning the youth housing measures I announced as a part of my statement on the housing policy review. I am pleased at the concern members have shown for those young people who are experiencing homelessness in the ACT. It is indeed a challenging problem for the Canberra community.
On 27 September 1989 I announced a carefully considered network of housing services to assist young people into long-term independent living. At that time the range of measures included in the review prevented me from providing all the details. I now wish to provide the Assembly with further information in the hope that this will contribute to an informed debate on youth housing.
In particular, I will expand on the singles share accommodation scheme, which is the principal means by which we will tackle the problem. The objects of the singles share accommodation scheme are firstly, to reduce the extent of homelessness and housing related poverty among single persons by providing long-term, independent public housing; secondly, to improve security and housing tenure for lower income or "at risk" single persons; and, thirdly, to provide appropriate and affordable group tenancy housing options for single persons unable to live independently and wishing to live with other single persons in small groups. Applicants will have to satisfy the normal ACT Housing Trust criteria to be eligible.
Mr Stefaniak has expressed concern that the scheme is restricted to people under 18. This is not correct. The scheme is open to any person over 16 years of age. There is no upper age limit. Applicants must be on low incomes, be eligible for Housing Trust rental accommodation and have lived in the ACT for six months.
They must be single to be part of this scheme. Groups of two to six single applicants will be able to register for the singles share accommodation scheme. Groups of two people may apply for a two-bedroom flat. Groups of three people may apply for a three-bedroom dwelling. Groups of four, five or six people may apply for a four-bedroom dwelling.
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