Reprinted from the ABC newswebsite  (Brock Taylor 29-4-13).  Read it directly here

The Government is cutting funding to 23 local tenancy services around the state and federal funding runs out at the end of June.

Local coordinator Koni Johnson says her staff are still dealing with about 10 clients a day and the centre needs to stay open up until the June deadline.

“Everyone is very concerned because we’re quite committed to social justice and we believe that this decision is wrong and that’s the only way we can describe it,” she said.

“We feel interest earned on tenants’ bonds should be used for tenants and tenants can use this service because of that.”

She says claims by Housing Minister Tim Mander that the service is duplicated by the RTA are wrong.

“People are still coming in to see us and seeking advice and advocacy and if it was something they could seek advice and information about elsewhere, they would already be doing that,” she said.

“We still get approximately 10 people a day who come in and see us requiring advice because we are a specialised service in tenancy information and advice.”