community, Macarthur Advertiser, housing commission, Mike Baird, Anoulack Chanthivong, Greg Warren

Housing commission residents found guilty of certain crimes will face eviction under tough new laws to be debated in State Parliament next week. The ‘‘one strike’’ policy was first proposed by NSW Premier Mike Baird during a visit to Rosemeadow in February this year and aims to create a safer environment for residents. ‘‘If you don’t abide by the rules you will no longer be in public housing,’’ Mr Baird said. Under the changes, tenants found guilty of the sale or supply of drugs, storing a firearm without a permit or grievous bodily harm w would be automatically evicted. Campbelltown MP Greg Warren said both major parties supported the changes. ‘‘Like all residents, those who live in public housing are entitled to live in a safe and secure environment’’. Mr Warren said once evicted, the tenants would be forced to secure accommodation outside of the public housing system. Labor initially considered the changes ‘‘too rigid’’. Mr Warren said under the original proposal, tenants could be evicted if another occupant committed the offence. However, discretion will now be used if a situation like that occurred. Macquarie Fields MP Anoulack Chanthivong said he was also in favour of the changes. ‘‘Anyone involved in any criminal activity whether it be in public or private housing, needs to be dealt with firmly,’’ he said. The bill — which is expected to be adopted — passed the lower house on September 17 and will likely be debated first week back in parliament which begins on Tuesday, October 13. THE FACTS More than 10 per cent of residents in the Campbelltown local government area reside in housing commission. The Australian Bureau of Statistics said in 2009, 6100 public housing dwellings provided accommodation for 16,400 people — more than 10per cent of the population. The number of dwellings public housing dwellings had risen to 6624 as of June last year, Department of Family and Community Services data said. Only Eastern Suburbs (6836), Bankstown (7023) and Sydney (7630) LGAs had more. The data also showed 1845 applicants were on the Campbelltown public housing waiting list, with 80 listed as priorities. Applicants seeking a one-bedroom or four-plus-bedroom property would have to wait at least 10 years before they were housed while those wanting a two or three-bedroom dwelling faced a five to 10-year wait.

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