My partner & I recently viewed a public housing property, that we offer to us. The property was in a high risk area for drug, burglary, vehicle theft etc. The property had burn marks on the benchtops & the bathroom vanity, consistent with a spoon being heated with a cigarette lighter for drugs, the dining room floor was badly stained, the wardrobe in the larger bedroom were suitable for a child’s wardrobe, the walls were stained & the rubbish from the other unit brought down the area to a low standard. My partner has mobility equipment he needs to function day to day. My partner was told by a staff member that the Department Of Housing doesn’t accomodate disabled tenant’s mobility requirements. You have to take a property regardless of whether your mobility equipment fits or not. That’s not the DOH’s problem. I would’ve thought that the DOH would build homes suitable for disabled people, regardless of whether disabled or abled body people move into these homes & not expect mobility equipment to be a luxury or to be compromised. It’s sad to think how many other disabled people have had to turn down property offers, due to the accommodation being unsuitable for their mobility needs & compromising there safety & wellbeing. So basically, public housing is really only suitable for people who don’t required safety or enough room for mobility equipment. My partner has contributed to society & worked hard, paid his taxes & now when he reaches out for help for accommodation, they can’t accommodate for his basic needs & he is treated like a lower class citizen, that’s expected to take accommodation that’s surrounded by drug addicts, thieves & who knows what else. That’s not how people in need should be treated.

I sure hope you aren’t next to get a chronic illness such as Parkinson’s disease, lose your home & possessions have to apply for ‘Selective Public Housing’... not the lucky country anymore.

All staff in all businesses & organisations need to remember they get paid to offer a service to the public. Do your job well or change careers. The disadvantaged population don’t need more brick walls.

Approximate cost: $176