Rockhampton tenant advice worker Debbie Willebrand is concerned about renters  in the area when their only free tenant advice service is defunded at the end of October.  During the month of May alone, 180 households were assisted.

Ms Willebrand points out that most of the households assisted are living in the private rental market, and the tenant advice service helps many of them to remain housed.  The Minister’s stated aim to reallocate tenant advice funding to put roofs over people’s heads is misguided because it belies the fact that these services are doing just that and reducing the demand for public housing.

In the article, the Minister fails to point out that the ‘funding’ from the Residential Tenancies Authority is actually interest generated on tenants’ bonds, which funds the vase majority of tenant advice services.

Read the whole article and the Minister’s comments at http://www.themorningbulletin.com.au/story/2012/08/16/tenant-advice-service-to-close/