PUBLIC HOUSING — CLIMATE CONTROL POLICY
117. Hon WILSON TUCKER to the Leader of the House
representing the Minister for Housing:
The Housing Authority rental
policy manual outlines that ceiling fans, air-conditioning apertures and
ceiling wall insulation have been provided in all new construction in the north
west after 1990.
(1) Can the
Housing Authority identify how many public housing properties in the north west
were built prior to 1990?
(2) Did the
Housing Authority install ceiling fans or insulation to public housing
properties in the north west prior to 1990?
(3) Does the
Housing Authority audit of housing stock in the north west ensure cooling—that
is, ceiling fans and insulation—is in working order?
(4) If yes to (3), please provide
the most recent figures.
(5) If no to (3), why not?
Hon SUE
ELLERY replied:
I thank the honourable member for
some notice of the question.
(1) As at 31 January
2022, there were 1 494 public housing properties across the Pilbara and
Kimberley regions that were constructed prior to 1990.
(2) Since 1990,
the Department of Communities has installed ceiling fans, air-conditioning
apertures and ceiling wall insulation to all
newly constructed properties in the north west. Tenants living in the north
west in a properly constructed property constructed prior to 1990
without ceiling fans may make an application to have ceiling fans fitted.
(3)–(5) The
Department of Communities completes inspections of public housing properties
annually to ensure that tenants are keeping
their homes clean and tidy, and to identify if anything needs repair or
maintenance, including cooling
devices. In addition, tenants are responsible for reporting any maintenance
requirements throughout their tenancy to the department for the appropriate
follow-up and action.