3328. Hon Alison Xamon to the minister representing the Minister for Housing:
(1) What is the current total number of social housing properties?
(2) How many of the properties from (1) are currently vacant?
(3) For what reasons are the properties from (2) vacant?
Hon Stephen Dawson replied:
(1) As at 30 September 2020, there were 42,901 social housing properties which includes public housing properties and community housing properties.
(2) As at 30 September 2020, there were 1,483 vacant public housing properties. Records of community housing vacancies are not kept by the Department of Communities as they are managed by the community housing organisations who lease them.
(3) Properties can become vacant for a number of reasons. A large portion, more than 800, are undergoing maintenance repairs and will be relet once repairs are completed. The Social Housing Economic Recovery Package refurbishments process will also assess each property for eligibility. Other properties have been deemed unsuitable for tenanting and will be allocated for demolition, redevelopment or sale.