Page 1077 - Week 03 - Thursday, 23 March 2017
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All other HACS staff were required to attend half-day awareness sessions. The manual is provided to all new staff and domestic and family violence training has been incorporated in the organisation’s ongoing training program.
(2) HACS sought modification to improve safety and security for clients in 41 properties in the 2015-16 financial year. Housing and Community Services works closely with the Domestic Violence and Crisis Service to deliver appropriate modifications that are tailored to the individual circumstances.
(3) Under clause 85 of the Residential Tenancies Act 1997 (RTA), if a tenant or joint tenant has been excluded from, being at the property by a court order, the remaining resident may apply, through the ACT Administrative Appeals Tribunal (ACAT) for the tenancy to be put in their name.
In 2015-16, no applications were made to the ACAT for substitution of the tenant under clause 85 of the RTA. None have been made in 2016-17 to date.
(4) HACS does remove Tenant Responsible Maintenance charges where they can be attributed to family and domestic violence, consistent with the Domestic Violence Policy Manual. Housing and Community Services did not fully capture the tenant responsible maintenance charges it removed due to family and domestic violence in 2015-16 however this process has commenced in October 2016 with 7 amounts being removed.
(5) HACS has an obligation to pursue rent in all tenancies however is very conscious of domestic and family violence experiences in homes. In instances where domestic and family violence is known, additional resources are engaged to support tenants to sustain their tenancies and prevent tenancies from progressing to legal action at ACAT. HACS recognises that economic violence can be a component of domestic and family violence. The Commissioner for Social Housing however does not have the capacity to waive debt. As outlined in the Domestic Violence Policy Manual, any determination to waive a debt owed to the ACT Government must be made by a delegate of the ACT Treasurer. In 2015-16 there were zero determinations made and zero for the year to date.
(6) In circumstances where the Australian Federal Police are seeking to prosecute perpetrators of family and domestic violence, HACS work with the Police to identify costs and provide any evidence to support the case. Housing and Community Services do not have records about the frequency of these matters.
(7) As at 24 February 2017, there were 10 applications on the priority list for a public housing dwelling where the applicant is experiencing domestic violence (28% of all applications on the priority list). In addition, as at 24 February 2017, there were 10 applications on the priority list for a transfer to another public housing dwelling where the applicant is experiencing domestic violence (21% of all applications on the priority list).
Planning—Giralang shops
(Question No 121)
Ms Le Couteur asked the Minister for Planning and Land Management, upon notice, on 17 February 2017:
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