It’s so stark when you see it in a graphic format – all the places where tenants will lose face to face and phone access to tenant advice services! On October 31 all these services will close and tenants will only be able to get information – not advice – by calling the RTA in Brisbane. If you’re concerned please write, email or call your local MP, the Housing Minister and the Premier today!
Author Archives: Lead Organiser
Atherton Tablelands – concerns for loss of tenant advice services
Today the Atherton tenant advice service is in the news. They’ve expressed grave concerns for tenants in the area once the service shuts in October. See the coverage at http://bit.ly/MTK09J
Qld Treasurer misses the point about TAAS services
The Tenant Advice and Advocacy Service (TAAS) in West End was featured on the ABC TV’s 7.30 Queensland on Friday August 10 as part of a review of government cuts affecting the Queensland community services sector. View it here.
TAAS worker Joe Hurley highlighted how the program assists people to remain in private rental market housing, reducing demand for social housing. Coverage also showed the reach of the TAAS program to many people on low incomes living in marginal housing.
In a follow up interview, the Queensland Treasurer Tim Nicholls discussed the withdrawal of funding to the TAAS program. He stated that the vast majority of advice is provided by the Residential Tenancies Authority (RTA) which supplies three times as much advice as the combined efforts of all the smaller groups (meaning the TUQ and local tenant advice services). See the interview here.
There are two key inaccuracies in what the Treasurer has said that need to be corrected. Continue reading
North Qld tenant helped by TUQ
Sarah Addo must be wondering where she would have gone for assistance if her tenancy problems occurred after October 31 this year. That’s the date when the TU’s North Queensland (TUNQ) office will be shut along with all other tenant advice services across the state unless the Queensland government reverses its decision to cut funding.
The TUNQ helped Sarah to stand up against her landlord who tried to evict her for asking for repairs. Read Sarah’s story………. http://www.abc.net.au/local/stories/2012/08/09/3564427.htm
Queensland Law Society urges government to reconsider funding cuts
The Queensland Law Society (the Society) today expressed concerns regarding funding cuts to the Tenants’ Union of Queensland (TUQ).
In a press release (see here) the Society said the government’s decision to reduce the funding of the TUQ will likely put more pressure on struggling community legal centres (CLCs).
Society president Dr John de Groot said The Tenants’ Union, itself a CLC, looks after a complex and niche area of law, providing advice on tenancy issues to people in need, particularly those on the brink of homelessness. Continue reading
International concerns expressed over funding cuts
The International community has now chimed in with their concerns over funding cuts to every free tenant advice service, including the Tenants’ Union of Queensland, across the state. Tenant advice services are funded under the Tenant Advice and Advocacy (TAAS) program and were given 3 months’ notice of discontinuation of funding, ending on October 31.
Last week the International Union of Tenants’ (IUT), based in Sweden, wrote to Premier Newman expressing a strong view that funding to tenant advice services should not be cut. Continue reading
Funding in pictures – the TAAS program & the RTA
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DV service supports continuation of tenant advice program
A regional domestic violence organisation says funding cuts to their local tenant advice service will leave women and children in the lurch. Whilst the DV service provides short term accommodation and support, they rely on tenant advisors to assist women with previous tenancy situations as well as with their re-entry into the private rental or social housing market.
Tenant advice services assist women and their children with their journey back into stable long term accommodation. But more than that, these services assist many people, women and men, before they lose their rental home and aim to prevent homelessness. Continue reading
People in the real estate industry think services to tenants are important…….
See what Real Estate Excellence Academy had to say http://bit.ly/NAIoHo
The Minister’s funding cut announcement…..
Minister for Housing and Public Works The Honourable Bruce Flegg
24/07/2012
Tenant program closed to pay for new public housing
The Newman Government will discontinue the Tenant Advice and Advocacy Service (TAAS) program as part of continued efforts to accommodate the 30,000 Queensland households currently waiting for social housing.
Housing and Public Works Minister Dr Bruce Flegg said his first priority was ensuring all available funds were channelled to the area of greatest need. Continue reading
Funding cut to all free tenant advisory services – your help needed!
The Queensland government recently cut funding to all 23 free tenant advice services statewide effective October 31, despite the majority of funding for them coming from interest generated on tenants’ bonds and not from taxpayer monies.
The Tenants’ Union of Queensland (TUQ) will lose 60% of its resources and 22 local tenant advice services statewide will close if the decision is not reversed. Qld tenants will virtually be left with no free tenant advice services. Your help is needed NOW. Continue reading