One Western Sydney family has resorted to sleeping in a tent rather than living in a home, as their social housing provider struggled to find them an appropriate home after mould outbreaks across Sydney take their toll.
The woman, who was interviewed by A Current Affair, said she had taken the local housing authority to court after doctors confirmed that her home and exposure to mould in the home could be causing Chronic Inflammatory Response Syndrome (CIRS).
Independent reporting conducted on the home at Wentworthville noted that “re-occupancy is ill-advised”.
The woman said that the housing authority had ignored her report and left her family with no choice but to pitch a tent in the backyard to attempt to limit their exposure.
When asked by the reporting team when showing them around, she said that the home contained “Extreme toxins, very high levels of mould and bacteria,”.
The authority, Hume Housing, said in response that it had been working closely with the family for several years.
“As a Not-for-Profit Community Housing Provider, Hume has invested significant funds, time and resources to try to resolve the issues … raised,” it said.
The woman explained that all the homes that had been offered to her family had all failed mould testing.
While the proceedings between the woman and the housing organisation are currently the subject of a court case, it highlights the impact of mould and water damage, not only on the health of residents but also on the strained Sydney housing system.
Hume Housing explained that “There is a housing crisis in NSW. There are currently over 50,000 households on the waiting list for housing in NSW.
“[We are] aware of the concerns raised… and confirm we have been in regular contact with her.
[The tenant’s] “concerns are currently the subject of proceedings before the NSW Civil and Administrative Tribunal and other legal proceedings threatened by her. As a result, it is not appropriate for Hume to offer further comment on this matter.”