The Safe as Houses? From Millers Point to Waterloo forum brought together a panel of experts to debate the experience of tenants displaced by the sell-off of public housing in Millers Point, with the aim of informing support for residents facing relocation in Waterloo and other public housing areas.
The discussion highlighted the immense trauma and upheaval that public housing relocation can cause, particularly for older or more vulnerable tenants who are often cut off from the only community they have known, and left totally isolated and alone.
The panelists gave sobering first-hand accounts of the devastating health impacts that this kind of displacement can cause, including anxiety, depression and even suicide.
Similar to the experience of residents in the lead up to Millers Point sell-off, many public tenants in Waterloo say they are having trouble getting repairs done as the spectre of relocation looms.
"What we are seeing is relocation by stealth," said Nicole Kennedy, tenancy coordinator at Redfern Legal Centre’s Inner Sydney Tenancy Service.
"Over time, these repairs mount up and properties are left to slide into complete disrepair. Eventually, the total cost of repairs is used as justification to relocate the property, rather than complete the necessary repairs."
At the forum, Redfern Legal Centre launched a newly updated resource to support public housing residents: The Repair Kit: Getting FACS Housing to repair your home.
This free legal guide aims to support tenants to navigate the process of requesting repairs and modifications to their homes.
(The South Sydney Herald, July 2019)
