A Sydney mother has been hospitalised twice and now requires oxygen to breathe \u2013 yet she and her young son remain in a severely mould-affected NSW public housing property with no temporary accommodation offered.<\/p>\n
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.<\/p>\n
Her two daughters, aged 23 and 21, were forced to move out of the home on the weekend, feeling unsafe.<\/p>\n
The family\u2019s dog also appears to be becoming unwell, adding further concern about the living conditions.<\/p>\n
\u201cWe\u2019ve been living with this mould for a long time, and it\u2019s got to the point that I\u2019m struggling to breathe,\u201d Lee told news.com.au.<\/p>\n
\u201cMy family and I have only one bathroom, so we have no other option but to use it.\u201d<\/p>\n
Maintenance workers reportedly refused to enter the property months ago because they considered the conditions a health hazard.<\/p>\n
Staff from Homes NSW have also visited the property on several recent occasions. <\/p>\n
Despite repeated requests for temporary accommodation, Lee claims Housing has not provided the family with anywhere else to stay.<\/p>\n
She was told that temporary accommodation required approval from management.<\/p>\n
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.<\/p>\n
Meanwhile, Lee remains in the home struggling to breathe and requiring oxygen.<\/p>\n
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.<\/p>\n
\u201cThey are doing what they can, but Lee and her children are in so much danger I\u2019m worried every day,\u201d Ms Morris told news.com.au.<\/p>\n
\u201cLee is a single mother raising three children, including her 11-year-old son Jackson, who has autism. The family\u2019s dog also appears to be becoming unwell, adding further concern about the living conditions.<\/p>\n
\u201cIf 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?\u201d<\/p>\n
Ms Morris said the family was not asking for a rent reduction. <\/p>\n
\u201cThey are asking for somewhere safe to stay while the property is assessed and the necessary repairs are completed.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cHome NSW\u2019s own published policy allows temporary accommodation for existing tenants when repairs or maintenance make their property unsafe to occupy,\u201d Ms Morris said.<\/p>\n
\u201cThe question we desperately need answered is why this family has not been assessed for temporary accommodation under Homes NSW\u2019s own policy.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cOur priority is getting Lee and her children somewhere safe while the property is properly assessed and repaired.<\/p>\n
NSW Shadow Minister for Family and Communities, and Homelessness Natasha Maclaren-Jones said \u201cno parent should have to fight their own landlord for the basic right to breathe safely at home\u201d.<\/p>\n
\u201cThis Government sets standards for private landlords, but apparently holds itself to a different standard when it\u2019s a government property.<\/p>\n
\u201cA rent reduction is not a substitute for a safe home. This is a failure of basic duty of care by the Minns Labor Government.\u201d<\/p>\n
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.<\/p>\n
\u201cHomes 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.<\/p>\n
\u201cWe 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.\u201d<\/p>\n
The local member have been contacted for comment.<\/p>\n