Our advocacy team visited the older person's high rise in Albert Park with the Victorian Public Tenants Association. There is now a Community Connectors Program, which is 8 residents from each building meeting with Homes Victoria and asking questions. There was concern about lack of answers to the questions, and frustration about lack of clarity and accountability. There was also confusion about who they should contact if they did end up having to move into community housing - would it be the housing office? It feels like they are being pushed around because they're older people. Having to wait for information is stressful and unnerving.
People said they thought this would be their "forever home" and if they have to move, they don't want to move again so the next place has to meet their needs. The right of return and what rent they return to was a big issue. Rent stays the same for the duration of the relocation - is this 8 years? What happens when they move back?
Recently Housing First had evicted older residents in St Kilda because they said they couldnt afford to fix the housing. Will this happen to them too? Is this what community housing does?
They've been told that there will be enough units in Barak Beacon but the numbers don't add up. There is only 45 one bedroom units, so the community will be broken up, there is at least 80-90 residents in the current building. The new buildings dont have a community room and its not set up for older people. Lot's of people check in on each other, if there is too much security on a floor how wil they do that?
"There is nothing like staying at home for real comfort."