Burning to move

In March 2024, 84-year-old Daryl attended Cobram Community House alongside his daughter and son-in-law, seeking advice regarding his housing. Daryl had been privately renting a farmhouse for the past 25 years. However, he was approached by the landlord who informed him that the property has been sold to the landlord’s grandson and Daryl would need to find somewhere else to live.

A HAAG Housing Support Worker advised Daryl of his tenancy rights and recommended that Daryl speak with the Tenancy Team, but Daryl declined, stating he was not going to leave until he had secured housing. Our Housing Support Worker supported Daryl with his Victorian Housing Register (VHR) for Special Housing for over 55s category, advising Daryl of wait time for housing.

In the conversation with the Housing Support Worker, Daryl expressed a wish to have a unit built on his daughter and son-in-law’s property. HAAG told Daryl and his family about DFFH moveable units and the process for securing one. Daryl could be close to the family but still have his own space. Daryl’s son-in-law completed the forms for the movable unit provided by the Housing Worker and submitted them to DFFH.

Daryl began to prepare for his move, spending months selling and donating items and burning rubbish. In the process, he got injured and was admitted to Alfred Hospital with 13% burns to his neck, chest and face. 

HAAG upgraded Daryl’s application for public housing to High Priority, and he spent a few months in hospital. Shortly afterwards he was approved for a moveable unit, which meant he lost high priority on the waitlist. We appealed to DFFH and Daryl contacted his MP but to no avail. 

In May 2025, the family were advised that a unit would be available, and construction to commence in July. Daryl provided his housing worker with daily progress updates, until eventually the unit was complete in September. HAAG assisted Daryl to move into his unit, and he now proudly bakes cakes for visitors in his new home. 

Movable units are an important part of Victoria's Public Housing system, enabling older people to live independently while close to family.