ACT Ombudsman Slams Housing ACT for Poor Public Housing

0:00This is Cory, keeping Sydney in the know. You're listening to Sydney News today. The ACT Ombudsman has slammed the local government for failing as a landlord in public housing. In a new report, investigator Iain Anderson says, housing ACT has not met its legal duties, with repairs often dragging on for months despite safety, risks like mold and leaking roofs. This comes after complaints from multiple tenants in Canberra. Poor communication has made things worse, leaving renters in the dark about fixes for extended periods. The report lists eight recommendations to speed up processes and boost transparency, and the government has agreed to all of them. Tenants are feeling the strain hard. One disability pensioner, after seven years in his home, went without a working bathroom for the first year, and dealt with mold everywhere. He even spent $15,000 out of pocket on repairs last year alone. Another renter waited three years for roof patches after storm damage. Chief Minister Andrew Barr emits, contractor issues have caused big problems across the 11,900 public housing properties.

1:04The plan now is to build in-house repair teams that cut reliance on outsiders, though he says it will take time. Critics like independent lawmaker, Thomas Emerson, and shelter advocates argue more funding is key, despite renewal programs targeting 1,000 home. Upgrades and 400 new ones soon. They hope in sourcing helps, but warn tenants deserve better conditions right away. Appreciation to our sponsor for backing this episode. What is cooler than cool, a pillow that plays your sound? S-O-L-L-I-SoliPillow.com