‘Double rent hike’ for public battlers

JOHN VAN KLAVEREN
SUCCESSIVE rent hikes tot-alling $70 have floored public housing tenants in Geelong’s northern suburbs, they have told the Independent.
They said Department of Human Services had hit them with two $35 increases a year apart.
Norlane’s Mick, who wanted his surname withheld, said the $70 hike was a blow to him and other public housing tenants.
“It’s hitting people hard because we’re already having difficulty making ends meet.”
“They’re finding it really tough because food costs, utilities, everyday living is going up.”
Mick said the department raised rents $35 in June last year and had just sent a letter advising of a second $35 rise.
“We’re paying a lot of money – $194 – for a house in poor condition. The house is over 70 years old and its falling down,” Mick said.
“They justify the rent by saying they charge market rent but if you had a look at this house you wouldn’t get the money they charge if it was a private rental.
“Our pensions haven’t gone up and the rent is more than 25 per cent of our income.”
Mick receives a disability pension. Wife Kaye is on a carer’s pension.
Two of the couple’s five children live at home with them in their three-bedroom weatherboard house.
Mick, a former housing support worker, was considering fighting the latest rise at Victorian Civil and Administrative Tribunal.
“The problem is that I know what you’ve got to go through,” he said.
“We’ve never been in arrears but the department doesn’t do the maintenance on the place or if they do it’s shoddy work.”
Mick said he paid full rent but would “reluctantly” apply for a rebate.
He volunteers for a non-profit organisation assisting people in poverty.
Corio ward councillor Kylie Fisher urged State Government to urgently review the rent rises.
“It’s disappointing because families are struggling and that needs to be taken into consideration,” she said.
“It really impacts on low-income earners and their families.”
A department spokesman said rents were pegged at 25 per cent of household income.
“If the household income goes up then the rent goes up. If the household income goes down the rent goes down.”
The spokesperson said the department ran biannual reviews.
“Most tenants, about 90 per cent of them, are on rebated rents. Rises are often linked to increases in Centrelink payments.
“If tenants have concerns we’re more than happy to discuss it with them. They can simply contact their local office of housing.”