The ACT government has traded barbs with the ACT Council of Social Service over the territory's public housing renewal program, after the council indicated the government would review elements of the program.
In a statement on Monday, ACTCOSS said the government had agreed to review the process to allow vulnerable tenants to receive a discretion to stay in their homes, after more than 300 letters were sent to tenants earlier in the year telling them they would be relocated.
However, Housing Minister Yvette Berry and Housing Services Minister Rebecca Vassarotti have expressed disappointment in the statement from ACTCOSS, saying this would cause uncertainty and confusion for tenants.
The ministers have rejected claims there was a review of the program, instead saying it was agreed Housing ACT would better articulate processes for tenants seeking exemptions from relocations.
However, ACTCOSS chief executive Emma Campbell said this was the first acknowledgement from the government that tenants could seek an exemption for their relocation and this change indicated a review.
Housing ACT sent more than 300 letters to public housing tenants in February to inform them they would be moved to a new public housing program as part the territory government's growth and renewal program.
The ACT government's growth and renewal program is running over a 10-year period, set to finish in 2025, and will cost $1 billion. As part of the program, the territory government is selling off older properties to fund the construction of new public housing properties.
The letter received by tenants in February was vague, it was titled "moving to your new home" but had no details about dates, it only said that a tenant relocation officer would be in touch with details.
Many tenants who received letters told The Canberra Times they had previously been told the program was voluntary and the letter was the first communication they had received which suggested this was not the case.
Representatives from ACTCOSS met with Ms Berry and Ms Vassarotti on Friday.
In the release from ACTCOSS, Dr Campbell said the ministers directed Housing ACT to review arrangements for granting discretion at the meeting.
"The ministers have committed to provisions that protect vulnerable tenants from eviction where it is unjust," Dr Campbell said.
The Canberra Times asked for comment from the offices of Ms Berry and Ms Vassarotti about the release from ACTCOSS at 9.45am on Monday. A response was not received with the strong rejection of ACTCOSS's assertions until after 4.40pm on Monday afternoon.
"I know moving house can be incredibly difficult and stressful. The ACT government is committed to ensuring that tenants being asked to relocate receive wraparound support services to ensure that their individual needs are met before, during and after the relocation process," Ms Berry said.
Dr Campbell has previously criticised the government for ignoring advice from community sector organisations about how relocations should be handled.
The territory's opposition housing spokesman Mark Parton said he wanted better outcomes provided.
"It has been a complete trainwreck, with the government seeking advice from community organisations in the lead-up to the implementation but then completely ignoring the advice," Mr Parton said.
"Labor and the Greens clearly have no regard for its most vulnerable citizens and has tried to forcibly remove long term tenants from homes that are in perfectly good condition."
