By Nicole Williams
A CHRONIC public housing shortage has left one Noble Park family in a house too big to handle.
Debra Rossi voluntarily handed in the four-bedroom home to the Department of Housing over a year ago, when her second daughter moved out, but the family is still waiting for a smaller house.
“I gave up the house 14 months ago,” she said.
“People are waiting for a four-bedroom home, and I am offering a four-bedroom home back, but I can’t get a three bedroom – I’m in limbo.”
“I just can’t afford to look after it and I can’t keep it up anymore.”
Ms Rossi, who is unable to work due to depression and anxiety, is the primary carer for her 11-year-old son with Asperger syndrome, and 31-year-old daughter, who is also disabled.
Her son goes to the nearby Emerson School, and needs to be relocated close to a special development school.
“Years ago, we had to take anything, and now I don’t care where the house is as long as I can get my son to a special school,” she said.
“I am even willing to swap with someone.”
Ms Rossi said she has had to remove parts of the garden, including a tribute garden for her children’s father. She said she had friends doing the lawn for her, but they were no longer in a position to help.
“It’s just too hard to maintain and too much for me to deal with.”
Brendan Ryan from the Department of Human Services said they were working with Ms Rossi to find a suitable house, but it was not an unusual situation.
“At times, household compositions can change due to children leaving home when they become adults, so these situations are not unusual,” he said.
“Waiting times for relocation depend on the availability of accommodation in the preferred areas and the number of applicants who have already been approved for transfer.”
