Two reports released today by the Australian Institute of Health
and Welfare (AIHW) show tenants of community and public housing are
satisfied overall with the services they receive from their housing
organisation or Housing Authority.
The reports, 2005 Public Housing National Social Housing
Survey: key results and 2005 Community Housing National
Social Housing Survey: key results, indicate that 71% of
public housing tenants were satisfied overall with the service
provided by their Housing Authority, while 85% of community housing
tenants were also satisfied with the service from their housing
organisation.
David Wilson of the Institute's Housing Assistance Unit said
that 'in both cases high levels of satisfaction were reported with
the way staff treated tenants, with public housing tenants most
satisfied overall with the day-to-day maintenance services
provided'.
'Seventy-eight per cent of public housing tenants said their
amenity needs, such as size of home and ease of access, were met
and a further 86% were happy that their location needs were also
being met'.
Tenants from both the community housing (74%) and public housing
(63%) sector said that their quality of life had improved since
moving into their housing.
'Benefits identified by tenants living in either public or
community housing included feeling more settled, being better able
to manage their rent and finances, and being able to remain living
in the area' Mr Wilson said.
In both public (45%) and community (46%) housing, most
households were made up of single people living alone, with 81% of
public and 80% of community housing tenants receiving their main
source of income from a government pension or a benefit of some
description.
Nearly half (46%) of community housing tenants said that they or
a member of their household had a disability or health condition
that limited their ability to participate in activities or for
which assistance was required.
A total of 49% of public housing tenants stated that they were
not looking for, or available for work, with the main reasons given
as unable to work (55%) and having a permanent medical condition
(43%).
15 June 2006
Further information: Mr David Wilson, AIHW, 02
6244 1202 or Mobile, 0419 251 763.
For media copies of the report: Publications
Officer, AIHW, tel. 61 2 6244 1032.
Availability: Check the AIHW Publications
Catalogue for availability of the 2005 Public Housing
National Social Housing Survey: key results and the 2005 Community Housing
National Social Housing Survey: key results.