Regional service providers identify need for additional tenancy support services

The Building Tenancy Skills Project (Shelter WA/People With disability WA) collaborated with Consumer Protection, National Disability Insurance Agency (NDIA) and Circle Green Community Legal to provide an online workshop for regional providers who have clients who are renting.

The Workshop was designed to provide opportunities for participants to network within and across regions. Consumer Protection staff informed participants about the rights of tenants to lodge a complaint and seek conciliation. Lived Experience speakers, Kelly Campbell and Wendy Wright shared knowledge of their experiences in utilising services. Circle Green Community Legal speaker Harinder Grewal introduced participants to practical tenancy resources, while Meagan Shand from NDIS outlined the funding available to NDIS participants to assist with sustaining their tenancy. Workshop participants identified resources available to assist families who are renting in regional areas. Finally, services identified gaps in resources and suggested practical means of addressing these gaps.

The Building Tenancy Skills Project will work with Shelter WA and PWdWA to advocate for these resources to be made available to the sector and the tenants they are supporting.

Participants identified they would like to develop more accessible website information and forms that were easier for clients to complete. They identified a need for more individual advocates and time for interagency meetings. There was a particular need for more crisis accommodation for larger families and people with disabilities. Services wanted access to an up-to-date online service directory and a central place to ask questions about services. There was a strong interest in receiving more training about the legal rights and responsibilities of tenants and landlords across private, community and state government housing.