Northern Territory targets $39 million in rent arrears

The Northern Territory government plans to recover $39 million in unpaid rent from public housing tenants. The authorities also intend to speed up evictions of tenants who act in an antisocial manner. Housing Minister Steve Edgington announced these measures in parliament on Thursday. Edgington stated that there are 1,422 tenancies with debts exceeding $10,000 each. Some tenants owe as much as $40,000. The government is responding to a homelessness crisis, as almost 6,000 people are currently on the public housing waitlist. Homelessness rates in the Northern Territory are significantly higher than the national average. The minister said reforms are necessary to hold tenants accountable. The government will strengthen eviction pathways and expand the powers of public housing safety officers. Changes will also be made to the "red card" policy to address excessive rent debts and ongoing antisocial behavior. Gerard McGeough, chief executive of Victims of Crime NT, acknowledged that unlawful entries and thefts are common in public housing. He expressed skepticism about whether evicting tenants would reduce crime. He emphasized that many victims feel unsafe in their neighborhoods. Annie Taylor, chief executive of NT Shelter, called for better funding for tenancy support services. She believes that supporting families facing difficulties could help prevent crises before they escalate to eviction. Taylor highlighted the need for early intervention programs to help those with complex situations.