Beyond breaking point, Mansfield family battles for safe living environment

LISA Johnson believes her family should never have been moved into the Rowe Street house by the Department of Families, Fairness and Housing (DFFH). But 15 years later, with her health deteriorating, Lisa would prefer to be without a fixed address, swallowing her pride, reliant on the kindness of community members as she tries to find a permanent residence. The situation is by no means ideal, with Lisa’s daughter Maya most comfortable with a familiar routine in her own space. It is Maya’s wellbeing that brought Lisa to Mansfield in the first place. Uprooting her life and moving away from family and friends, it was the opportunities and assistance that Mansfield Autism Statewide Services offered to the then six-year-old Maya that represented a lifeline for the family. Government housing made the move possible, however, right from the very beginning there was black mould which Lisa, not knowing any better, cleaned without donning protective clothing – no gloves, no mask, no protection. “And I’ve continued to clean it,” said Lisa. She attributes the ongoing issue to both dampness and a lack of ventilation in the three-bedroom house, with limited to no insulation adding to the family’s discomfort both in summer and winter. Exposed asbestos is another concern Lisa has raised, voicing that holes in the wall have been patched over with concrete sheet and smoke alarms fitted without following appropriate safety and containment procedures. Lisa said she has repeatedly reported ongoing issues with the house both officially and in conversation to department representatives. A report was lodged by one of her NDIS support workers in August this year highlighting the issue, and the department has conducted inspections, but Lisa feels action taken has been minimal. Following a November 2023 inspection, mould was treated in the laundry but mould in cupboards and other rooms was left unaddressed and, according to Lisa, the issue returned. The department assured North East Media it takes every complaint seriously and staff investigate these as a priority. Lisa feels this has not been her experience. Exhausted from trying to broker some sort of resolution, it was the announcement that the DFFH was going to increase her rent by $90 a fortnight that caused Lisa to reach breaking point. Effectively negating any payment rises the government has introduced to address cost-of-living pressures, Lisa said she was given no opportunity to challenge the increase on what she deems an “uninhabitable house” and was instead informed she would need to continue paying rent or risk falling into arrears. Lisa packed an overnight bag for herself and Maya, and on Wednesday, September 25, the family moved out of the home. Her support worker found temporary accommodation as Lisa’s mental health hit an all-time low. “Both Maya and I have presented with rashes, skin and nail infections, and breathing problems,” said Lisa. “It’s all documented with our local GP. “Earlier in the year, I had my gall bladder removed. “I was unable to keep down food and drink and was vomiting, and the doctors couldn’t work out what was wrong, but did notice I had gallstones." Removing her gall bladder was supposed to offer relief, but Lisa’s symptoms persisted. Lisa only thought to mention the mould recently; she hadn’t drawn a possible connection until then. Lisa and Maya have been living with mould for the last 15 years, with mould evident in every room of the house, and their clothes and furnishings tainted by the musty smell. Lisa now believes that many of her health complaints are a result of conditions within the house. The Department of Families, Fairness and Housing told North East Media it “works to ensure public housing properties are kept in a safe and suitable condition, and that renters are comfortable and happy in their homes.” According to the DFFH, “the health and safety of tenants and residents in all department-owned properties is of the utmost importance to the department, and all requests for maintenance within homes are dealt with promptly.” Lisa said the problems with the house are neither new nor undocumented. “I have had to resort to my support workers to try and negotiate the situation with the department, as I wasn’t making any headway,” she said of the protracted battle. A DFFH spokesperson confirmed that contractors attended the property on Friday, October 4, to assess and report on the mould. The department said it had not been made aware of any concerns regarding asbestos. “We have urgently organised for a hygienist to conduct mould and moisture testing, and a plumber to inspect the roof and the walls for leaks,” the spokesperson said. Report findings indicate that whilst the property is habitable, rectification work needs to be done to treat the mould, with minor works to continue after Lisa and Maya return to the building. The report also recommended the removal and disposal of a bed, with Lisa now responsible for costs incurred in replacing this item. However, Lisa remains reluctant to return to the address. Initially reliant on the goodwill of community members who housed Lisa and Maya in the interim, the department has now placed the family in temporary accommodation. According to Lisa, it was a last-minute reprieve. Facing homelessness, the department organised accommodation only after the report affirmed Lisa’s complaints that mould was an ongoing issue, and only after she had reached out to Beyond Housing in crisis. Lisa believes the way the department has treated them is “beyond unbelievable,” compounding her anxiety and distress. With the family’s health in mind, Lisa has been considering housing alternatives. Despite rental shortages and an average rental price beyond her budget, moving away from Mansfield is not an option for the family. “All the support and infrastructure is here for Maya, and it’s taken us years to get to this point where she is properly assisted," she said. “And what’s more, she loves this town, it’s her home. “There are new housing ministry residences being built in town – there are alternatives.” The department reaffirmed that houses are being built across rural and regional Victoria, with $1 billion in funding allocated through the Regional Housing Fund to deliver at least 1300 homes. Many homes are already complete or underway, with new homes built in good locations with access to the services people need. Lisa has repeatedly applied for the family to be relocated yet her name languishes on the waiting list. “However, to move us out means they would have to address the current condition of the house,” she said. “I think they realise they can’t just move anybody else in there.”

Beyond breaking point, Mansfield family battles for safe living environment

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