A Sydney mother has been hospitalised twice and now requires oxygen to breathe – yet she and her young son remain in a severely mould-affected NSW public housing property with no temporary accommodation offered.
Lee, a single mother whose 11-year-old son has autism and severe developmental delay and speech difficulties, claims Homes NSW has known about the mould problem for about six months.
Her two daughters, aged 23 and 21, were forced to move out of the home on the weekend, feeling unsafe.
The family’s dog also appears to be becoming unwell, adding further concern about the living conditions.
“We’ve been living with this mould for a long time, and it’s got to the point that I’m struggling to breathe,” Lee told news.com.au.
“My family and I have only one bathroom, so we have no other option but to use it.”
Maintenance workers reportedly refused to enter the property months ago because they considered the conditions a health hazard.
Staff from Homes NSW have also visited the property on several recent occasions.
Despite repeated requests for temporary accommodation, Lee claims Housing has not provided the family with anywhere else to stay.
She was told that temporary accommodation required approval from management.
Two days later, Homes NSW offered a 25 per cent rent abatement backdated to July. Lee has now been told that Homes NSW must inspect the property again.
Meanwhile, Lee remains in the home struggling to breathe and requiring oxygen.
Co-Founder of Acts of Kindness Community Outreach Sarah Morris is advocating for Lee and her children and has escalated the matter to the local MP Kobi Shetty to assist.
“They are doing what they can, but Lee and her children are in so much danger I’m worried every day,” Ms Morris told news.com.au.
“Lee is a single mother raising three children, including her 11-year-old son Jackson, who has autism. The family’s dog also appears to be becoming unwell, adding further concern about the living conditions.
“If the property was considered too hazardous for maintenance workers to enter, why is a mother who now requires oxygen and her three children still expected to live there?”
Ms Morris said the family was not asking for a rent reduction.
“They are asking for somewhere safe to stay while the property is assessed and the necessary repairs are completed.”
“Home NSW’s own published policy allows temporary accommodation for existing tenants when repairs or maintenance make their property unsafe to occupy,” Ms Morris said.
“The question we desperately need answered is why this family has not been assessed for temporary accommodation under Homes NSW’s own policy.”
“Our priority is getting Lee and her children somewhere safe while the property is properly assessed and repaired.
NSW Shadow Minister for Family and Communities, and Homelessness Natasha Maclaren-Jones said “no parent should have to fight their own landlord for the basic right to breathe safely at home”.
“This Government sets standards for private landlords, but apparently holds itself to a different standard when it’s a government property.
“A rent reduction is not a substitute for a safe home. This is a failure of basic duty of care by the Minns Labor Government.”
A spokesperson for Homes NSW acknowledged the conditions in the home were unacceptable and apologised to Lee and her family for the impact it has had on them.
“Homes NSW is working with the family to resolve these issues as a matter of urgency and has recently provided a rent reduction while the maintenance issues are assessed and addressed.
“We have been in contact with Lee again today and have offered to relocate the family into temporary accommodation while we determine the most appropriate short and longer-term accommodation options.”
The local member have been contacted for comment.
Read related topics:Sydney