Management of the Community Services Directorate’s 11,800 public and community housing properties across the ACT is to be transferred to a new service provider from 1 November.
The new arrangement, which will provide maintenance for about 23,000 tenants as well as the Narrabundah Long Stay Park in Symonston and Bimberi Youth Justice Centre, has been awarded to the company Programmed Facility Management for an initial six years.
Announcing the move, the Minister for Housing and Suburban Development, Yvette Berry said the tender process had included extensive consultation with tenants, industry and community housing organisations.
“Feedback from the consultation assisted in the design of the tender specifications to achieve higher quality service, satisfaction and social outcomes for tenants,” Ms Berry said.
“The new contract will incorporate an integrated performance management system that encourages Programmed Facility Management to achieve the highest levels of service delivery, tenant engagement and satisfaction, and to meet industrial relations and ethics requirements.”
She said that in order to ensure a strong social outcome and local commitment, Programmed Facility Management would engage with local communities with the aim of developing long-term, meaningful and sustainable employment and talent development opportunities for local people.
She said there were minimum targets for specific cohorts including public housing tenants themselves.
“Leading up to the commencement of the new contract, the Government will ensure continuity of all maintenance services to public housing tenants and existing levels of service are retained through the establishment of a dedicated transition team,” Ms Berry said.
“All contact details for repairs and maintenance services for tenants will remain the same.”
