Issue Date:  -  Tuesday, 28 October 1997

Launch of new code of practice for community housing sector

People who live in refuges, crisis accommodation and hostels will enjoy greater protection as a result of a new code of practice introduced by the State Government today.

Launching the code, Fair Trading Minister Doug Shave said most people who lived in community housing were disadvantaged in some way and it was important to protect them.

"Developed by the Community Housing Coalition of Western Australia for the community housing sector, the code sets standards for service provision and establishes mechanisms for dispute resolution," Mr Shave said.

"One of the main changes under the code is that it gives disadvantaged tenants the opportunity to participate in the management of their housing arrangements.

"It is important that people have some control over the conditions in which they live; equally it is critical that service providers are accountable and this code allows for both."

Mr Shave said he encouraged the development of fair trading codes of practice where appropriate and commended community housing providers on this initiative.

"They provide access to quick and informal complaint handling and can promote industry-managed quality control," he said.

The Community Housing Coalition of WA's executive officer, Cathcart Weatherly, said the code was developed in response to the diversity of the community housing sector and the special needs of its tenants.

"Most community housing is subject to the Residential Tenancies Act and aged care facilities are subject to either State or Federal laws," the Minister said.

"However, there are some types of accommodation such as lodging houses, which are not subject to specific Government regulation.

"The standards set out in this code will provide protection for people in accommodation which is not subject to legislation. On the other hand, the code will not conflict with existing State or Commonwealth Acts.

"Other States have developed similar codes but we believe ours goes a step further by incorporating monitoring mechanisms and by being very specific about how the accommodation provider can meet the standards."

Mr Shave said the WA Government had a strong commitment to providing disadvantaged tenants with access to affordable and secure housing and this code would help these people enjoy a good standard of service.

Media contact:
Anabel Gomez
Tel: (08) 9366 0300 or (08) 9222 9595