A handbook to assist public housing tenants commence and maintain a tenancy has been launched today by the ACT Minister for Housing Joy Burch.

 

The Tenants’ Handbook was developed with the assistance of tenants themselves.

 

Ms Burch said the handbook was an informative, easy-to-read document providing information and contact details for the range of Housing ACT services, including available support services.

 

It also provides general information on the policies and procedures that affect tenants and outlines the responsibilities tenants take on when they rent a Housing ACT property.

 

Importantly, the publication opens with Housing ACT’s commitment to tenants, expressed through its ‘Customer Service Charter’. 

 

“The handbook was developed through a truly consultative process, involving Housing ACT and its various business units, the Joint Champions Group and community stakeholders,” Ms Burch said.

 

“I am encouraged by the enthusiastic involvement of tenants through the Joint Champions Group and its advice particularly in regard to the readability of the document.”

 

The Joint Champions Group has nearly 100 tenant members and plays a substantial role assisting Housing ACT in the planning and delivery of public housing services in the ACT. It enables Housing ACT to tap into the thinking of tenants on a whole range of issues.

 

Ms Burch said an ‘Easy Reference Guide’ was also produced to accompany the Handbook.

 

This guide will be updated regularly and will be complemented by an updated fridge magnet with important contact numbers, including SMS details.