THE Northern Territory is undertaking a large-scale transfer of its public housing properties to community housing providers across Darwin.
Mission Australia Housing NT is set to take over management of 251 properties in Darwin’s northern suburbs, with Venture Housing taking on 250 properties in Palmerston.
Mission Australia Housing NT and Venture Housing will assume responsibility for conducting inspections, collecting rent, and repairs and maintenance to foster a financially sustainable and diverse social housing system.
The territory government says tenants will see better local community services and specialised support through the change and assure there will be no out of pocket rent increases under these new management arrangements.
“The transfer of 501 public housing properties to Mission Australia Housing NT and Venture Housing will deliver benefits to our public housing tenants,” said Ngaree Ah Kit, minister for urban housing.
“Both have a strong record of providing high quality asset and tenancy management and the capacity to offer additional services to residents that will enhance their overall quality of life.”
Venture Housing and Mission Australia Housing are both Tier One community housing providers, boast the highest level of performance and regulatory compliance and each have registration with the National Regulatory System for Community Housing.
“Mission Australia welcomes the opportunity to take on management of these homes, which will deepen our existing connections here in the Territory and enable us to increase our level of support to people who need it,” said Sharon Callister, CEO at Mission Australia.
“Our intention is not just to deliver positive housing outcomes, it’s to create homes for people and to develop a thriving self-supportive community providing opportunities for people to connect with services, activities and each other.”
“We strive to achieve sustainable tenancies, so our tenants live their best lives and achieve their aspirations,” said Karen Walsh, CEO at Venture Housing Company Limited.
“I am confident that our new Palmerston tenants will feel welcome and supported and that these homes will be very well maintained under Venture Housing’s management.”
The transition is a major component of the territory government’s Community Housing Growth Strategy 2022-32, which is looking to transfer management of up to 40% of urban public housing to community housing providers.
Despite the change in management, the government will maintain ownership over the homes.
