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THE BIGGEST CON BY STEALTH - THE PRIVATISATION OF PUBLIC HOUSING

MY TESTIMONIAL

EILEEN ARTMANN - FORMER RESIDENT OF THE WALKER ST PUBLIC HOUSING ESTATE IN NORTHCOTE

FOUNDER of FOPHV

WALKER STREET PUBLIC HOUSING ESTATE, NORTHCOTE - NOW DEMOLISHED.

PUBLIC HOUSING RESIDENTS,THE WIDER COMMUNITY AND OUR HOMELESS

VICTIMS OF THE BIGGEST CON BY STEALTH - THE PRIVATISATION OF PUBLIC

HOUSING

Looking back over the last four years, to the commencement of the forced relocation of the residents on the Walker Street Estate, Northcote, I disclose some of the mistruths we were fed, to sugarcoat the Public Housing Renewal Program / plan.

You could choose three suburbs to go to, accept a five year arrangement in a private rental property, (large families) with Department rental assistance, so you would not have to pay a higher rent.

In fact, they made it look like there would be no problem relocating us, easy peasy, but that was far from the truth.

Four years have gone by, so what will happen to those families now, in the five year rental arrangement?

What will happen to those who accepted substandard properties, knowing it would only be for a year or two?

We were not told up front, at the beginning, that it was no longer going to be Public Housing, to return to.

I was forceably relocated almost two years ago, as I held on to get what I wanted, and to stay in Northcote.To move was one major emotional hurdle, but to restart my life in a totally new suburb, away from family, my friends, my hospital, and my doctor etc was too much. I moved one week before eviction letters were issued to the few others, who had not been offered a suitable equivalent standard residence.

I agreed to a new residence, but it was not immediately liveable. Work was done, but not fully completed. It was suggested I move in, and let the work continue, when in. I was adamant that I would not move till all work was done, as moving was more than enough to contend with, at my age. I, on inspections, found more maintenance that needed to be done before I would move. It was done.

I doubt it would of been done if I had moved earlier, as was suggested.

I feel for those who moved out at the very beginning in the knowledge that they had first option to return, in two to three years time, when the new development was completed. Families won’t be able to return, as the many three bedroom flats they left will not be replaced for them to return to. It will me mainly two and one bedroom flats.

Eventually we were informed that those returning, will be asked to sign up as Community Housing residents, not Public Housing Residents.

NOTE: Community Housing ask a higher rent, and also have additional fees, plus cherry pick their residents. We were told, at a meeting, that if were were not happy being a Community Housing resident, after twelve months we could switch back to Public Housing. I immediately said they had it the wrong way around. Public Housing first, and then Community Housing, should one decide to switch.

As I stand, it should only be Public Housing.

How many of those relocated have gone back to see the new development, only to be shocked at seeing no development at all. Yes, after four years, not even one brick laid.

The wider Community, our old neighbours were told by MAB, that construction would commence in February 2022. This has not been the first date advised, that has come and gone, so what is going on? How much could these delays be costing the tax payer? Is the developer (MAB) about to go bust? ProBuild has.

Personal testimonial by Eileen Artmann