For months, Michael and his family have been fighting with NT Housing. Michael and his family have lived in the same house in Alice Springs for over twenty years. Michael is also a full-time carer for Steven, a young indigenous man with Down Syndrome. At first, NT Housing tried to evict Michael and his family on somewhat dubious grounds. All notices to evict have now been withdrawn.
But NT Housing hasn't given up. Now they are trying to force Michael and co into a tiny 3 bedroom place. As you can see, the property is totally under-utilised by Michael and his family.
Bad Landlord is wise to NT Housing tricks. Back in March, Michael requested that Shane, his daughter's boyfriend, be added to the tenancy. NT Housing declined the request. It said as follows:
All applications are assessed against the current public housing eligibility criteria to determine an applicant's need for public housing. There is a strict eligibility criteria to access public housing, to ensure those most in need are housed.
The thing is Shane is actually homeless. NT Housing isn't worried about housing people, something else is going on here. Who could be more in need than someone who is homeless?
On the same day, NT Housing wrote to Michael and advised he was not entitled to a 4 bedroom house. It said as follows:
It has come to the attention of the Department of Housing that your household size has reduced, which means you are occupying a dwelling above your correct housing entitlement...Should you refuse to comply with the request to relocate to a more appropriately sized dwelling or decline, without reasonable grounds, to accept the one (1) offer of a dwelling to which you are entitled, the Department of Housing may not renew your tenancy agreement and you may be issued with a notice to vacate.
NT Housing has declined Michael's request for an additional occupant to force Michael and his family out of their home. This is what they do. They offer tenants 'absolute dumps' and when they refuse, they have a reason to evict. NT Housing have not given up on evicting Michael and his family, they are employing another strategy. NT Housing have said, they want to 'effectively utilise our stock'. I don't think so.
Last year, the ABC was reporting on the evictions of indigenous families. These evictions are taking place because the NT Government wants to privatise housing.
Indigenous and social welfare advocates have raised concerns about an increase in public housing evictions in Alice Springs, which could leave many people homeless. The Northern Territory Government has been accused of fast-tracking evictions as part of a policy to sell off public housing stock to raise revenue...The Central Australian Aboriginal Legal Aid Service (CAALAS) is concerned that a ‘hardline’ approach is being taken to public housing tenants, in order to free up homes to sell.
I am concerned about the impact of this policy on indigenous families. I am told many real estate agencies don't rent to indigenous families, mixed or otherwise. If indigenous families cannot obtain housing in the public system, or in the private sector, where are they supposed to live? On the streets?
NT Housing is trying to make living in public housing so unbearable that being homeless is a preferable alternative. One thing it does is regularly invade the privacy of its tenants. NT Housing inspects every chance it gets trying to find reasons to evict people. On Thursday, Michael had yet another inspection. Michael got his camera out and started filming. If you are a public housing tenant in the Northern Territory, my advice would be to videotape any dealings with NT Housing.
Another thing NT Housing does is to hand-deliver notices. In most states and territories, this practice is prohibited in the private sector because it can be used to harass and intimidate tenants. The day after the inspection, public housing safety officers turned up at Michael's doorstep and delivered a notice from NT Housing. Michael received a notice directing him not to engage in conduct that creates 'alarm, fear or annoyance' in the vicinity of his home. NT Housing's cited reason was that Michael 'confrontational and intimidating whilst videotaping' when the inspection took place. Michael is anything but aggressive. I have talked to him many times. He is angry and upset about the way his family is being treated by NT Housing. And they have been treated atrociously. NT Housing is trying to build a case on unsubstantiated allegations. They don't like being challenged, and they don't like being held accountable.
Dealing with bureaucrats can be very difficult for marginalised and disadvantaged individuals. Tenants targeted by NT Housing have two choices - fight or end up on the streets. Michael thinks NT Housing is 'cruel-spirited' and 'vindictive'. I am inclined to agree. Tenants like Michael that challenge NT Housing are in its sights. As Michael says, it's like pushing a boulder up a hill.
I am beyond mad. This is a complete abuse of power. Shame on you NT Housing. It is not okay to pick on disabled people, and it is not okay to pick on indigenous people. And NT Housing, we are watching you very carefully.
- Matt O’Neil, Northern Territory's hardline eviction policy raises concerns, 23 November 2013
- ABC News, Public housing tenants evicted 'without reasons', 25 October 2013
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