Previously we reported on the sale of social housing units in the Council initiated Inkerman Oasis Two of three units have been snapped up prior to auction.
A family member of a concerned social housing resident raised there concerns with TWiSK. Of course, we’ll be happy to publish a reply from Housing First.
In response to your article regarding the selling off of units specifically designated for older or disabled people at 7 Greeves St. St. Kilda.
My 76 year old sister has been a resident in one of these units for the last 21 years, as have many other residents. They received no warning or information, from Housing First, that the units designated for older or disabled people were to be sold off to the general public.
The first my sister knew of this was when she asked a real estate agent who was assessing the unit for sale, what she was doing there. The salesperson then informed her that they were selling the units. This caused great angst and distress amongst the residents, leaving them worried and scared that they would have to find alternative accommodation and where would they go? The complex these flats are situated in, was donated by the Council with the provision that 10 % of the units would be social housing.
Two of these units have now been sold prior to auction, the flat in my sisters block has a fully functional bathroom specifically designed to suit people with a disability. My sister had to meet specific requirements to be eligible to access the renting of this unit, which included having to prove that she, and our family had always lived in St. Kilda and that she was a carer for both our elderly parents.
To this date, Housing First has not informed residents of any of these sales, nor bothered to explain to tenants what is going to occur. This lack of communication on their part is not only unfair, totally unprofessional and extremely disrespectful towards the tenants, but has also caused significant and unnecessary distress amongst the elderly, long term residents who now have concerns about their future, as they were lead to believe their tenancy was permanent. Apart from the fact there is a huge waiting list for social housing and that these flats are already disability specific, what can the reason for the sales be, from a not-for-profit housing provider?
If Housing First had initially had the decency to inform its tenants of what was occuring and why, and to inform them of their future residency status, alot of confusion, perplexity and worry could have been alleviated. Surely a simple informative letter would not have been too dificult to implement!
These tenants are still waiting for answers. Shame on you Housing First!
Deborah Dyer.
Update 2 December. TWiSK received this flier from another resident with this comment.
“The flyer below was deposited in the letter boxes of the HousingFirst residents mentioned in your social housing posts . I thought it was very insensitive and may be of interest .”
[Name supplied]
