Tenant News September 2009

• Minister’s message

  On a personal note, I’d like to say how thrilled I was to be sworn in as the Minister for Housing and how keen I am to deliver affordable housing solutions to people in housing need across our state.

• Director-General’s message

  I am pleased the former Department of Housing has helped to form a new Department of Communities with the aim of developing fair, vibrant and cohesive communities across Queensland.

• We're now the Department of Communities

  Following the State election in March this year, the Honourable Karen Struthers MP was appointed as Minister for Community Services and Housing and Minister for Women.

• Tenants to benefit from Nation Building plan

  Queensland has already received $80 million under the Australian Government’s Nation Building - Economic Stimulus Plan for repairs and maintenance to social housing properties.

• Department helps tenants to buy their own home

  The department’s Sales to Tenants program has helped Samantha and Jack Dzik purchase the department-owned house they were renting in Brisbane for the past eight years.

• 2009 Water-Wise Garden Awards

  Housing Minister, Karen Struthers, launched the 2009 Water-Wise Garden Awards at the Boronia Heights Bushland Reserve in June.

• Neighbour Day 2009

  On Sunday 29 March, tenants celebrated national Neighbour Day around the state, with the assistance of small grants from the department.

• ClimateSmart Home Service

  Housing Services tenants can use the ClimateSmart Home Service to save energy, money and the environment. For $50, a licensed electrician will supply and install a water efficient showerhead, and supply and install up to 15 free energy efficient light globes - all in less than an hour.

• Tenants participate in the Queensland Shelter conference

  The Queensland Shelter conference was held in February 2009, with the theme Making sense of the big picture: Pathways to affordable housing in Queensland.

• Tenant group helps their community

  The Central Queensland regional tenant group recently completed a landscaping project at a local shelter for homeless young people.

• Employment project gives a helping hand

  North Queensland’s Indigenous people are benefiting from a project aimed at enhancing job readiness for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people who have moved to Cairns and Townsville through the Off Communities Investment Project.

• Annual property inspections

  Housing and Homelessness Services staff are required to check on the condition of your rental property at least once a year.

• New tenancies legislation

  In December 2008, the Queensland Parliament passed the Residential Tenancies and Rooming Accommodation Act 2008. This act sets out the new tenancy laws for Queensland and replaces the Residential Tenancies Act 1994 and the Residential Services (Accommodation) Act 2002.

• Young artists help create healthy homes

  Green lawns, flowerbeds, picket fences and dogs called ‘Rex’ are recurring themes in artworks created by Queensland children to illustrate what a healthy home looks like.

• Fire safety tips for the cooler months

  Research shows that in Australia, more fire-related accidents occur between the months of June and September than at any other time of the year.

• Electricity account payment options

  If you experience difficulty paying your electricity account, it is important to contact your electricity retailer as soon as possible. Your electricity retailer may have payment options available to help manage your electricity accounts.

• Communiqué from the Tenants' Union

  The Tenants’ Union of Queensland is a community organisation representing tenants. We produce Communiqué: a news update for public and community housing tenants every two months.

• Tenant News goes audio!

  If you would like this newsletter in audio format instead of a paper copy, please phone 3225 1962 to talk to a staff member.

• Maintenance contact details

  Maintenance contact details

• Have your say on your newsletter

  Please contact us with your news, views, handy hints and ideas for future newsletter stories.