South Australian Housing Trust Act 1995

The functions of SAHT include—

to assist people to secure and maintain affordable and appropriate housing by—

acting as a landlord of public housing in the State; and

managing various forms of public housing in the State; and

providing private rental assistance; and

providing advice and referral on housing options and housing related issues; and

supporting initiatives (within the various sectors) to increase the supply of affordable housing;

to provide houses to meet housing needs, or to support or promote programs or other initiatives within the private or not-for-profit sectors to meet housing needs;

to facilitate support for South Australians so as to increase their ability to achieve successful housing outcomes;

to provide advice to the Minister on—

issues, initiatives or programs associated with the housing needs of the community; and

any other issues as the Minister or SAHT thinks fit;

to carry out any other functions conferred on SAHT by or under this Act or other Acts, by the Minister or by delegation under an Act.

SAHT will be the principal property and tenancy manager of public housing in the State.

SAHT should—

provide affordable, secure and appropriate housing that meets the needs of its clients; and

ensure that rental housing provided by SAHT is well located, of adequate size and condition, and meets reasonable standards of health, safety and security; and

ensure that housing built by or for SAHT after the commencement of this Act incorporates modern standards of energy efficiency; and

aim to provide housing that provides reasonable access to community services.

In conducting its affairs and after taking into account the policies of the Government, SAHT should meet its aims and objectives through the most appropriate and effective mechanisms available to it (which mechanisms may include engaging or funding other bodies or persons to provide or deliver programs or services so as to result in the best use of the resources available to SAHT).

In addition, in conducting its affairs, SAHT must establish consultative arrangements with groups and organisations with an interest in the housing sector, including (but not limited to) groups or organisations that represent the interests of tenants or the providers of community or Aboriginal housing.