A little true story.
When my first husband left me in 1964, he cleaned out our Bank account and left me with five children to care for without any money to keep paying the rent on a house in a Melbourne suburb. My english was very limited and I had no idea where to go and get help.
A Police man, who was looking for my Ex, helped me. In his spare time he took me to the Housing Department and filled out forms for me. He also took me to Social Services to apply for a Deserted Wifes Pension. Not long after I was offered a flat in a high rise block in Prahran or a three bedroom house with garden in Lang Lang. I had no idea where Lang Lang was, but a house and garden sounded like heaven to me. I just wanted a safe place for my children.
Neighbours told me that I am going bush, miles and miles of nothing, but I paid the first fortnight rent, got the keys and organized the move. We arrived there on a Saturday and I got the shock of a lifetime. There was no electric or gas stove, just an oldfashioned wood fire stove. As a city girl, I never lit a fire and had no idea what I needed to get the stove heated. Also the Toilet was outside in a little shed. (learned later that it was called a Dunny.) The bathroom had a big bathtub and a copper for laundry, the tricky bit was a chip heater to heat the water for both. Otherwise the house was clean and roomy with a Fireplace in the lounge room and a huge garden all fenced in. No carpets, no lino, no curtains, but I was happy to have a home for my children and myself.
Word spread quickly in that little town about my arrival and the local people came to help me. Because I could not have the electricity connected until Monday, some ladies brought candles, a casserole and cakes for us to eat. The local store owner brought a box full of essential groceries and organized for some men to bring me firewood, kindling and old newspapers, and to teach me how to light a fire in the stove. It was the best move I have ever made and did not expect the Housing Commissin to supply city style comforts.
I lived there for six years. Made a beautiful flower garden at the front and had a vegie grden out back, plus plenty of room for th children to ply. I would propably still live there, but I met my second husband who was a single father to four children, and when we got marrid I moved to his town, where he worked.
Anywy, fast forward.....
When my husband got very ill nd had to leve work, things becme to much for me to take care of the big house and gardn we lived in. I had two lots of ageing parents to care for and my husband could not do much anymore, so we wanted to downsize and get a smaller place.
There were three Housing Commission house in town that had been empty for more than 18 month. We were hoping to get one of those, but because they were two bedroom places we were not ellible for them. Housing Commission did not recognise that from our nine grown children some of them would like to visit and stay for a few days. They had their rules and stuck by them. That was in 1988 and one of those houses is still empty and falling apart.
We eventually got a small Unit in the local Retirement Village, where I am still living with my third husband. Housing Commission hs over time built some lovely brick homes in our town and most people moving here are happy, but it is amazing how many complain that this is a dead place without city entertainment and shopping areas. Living on Social Service thy should be glad to have a nice home to live in, but some people still believe they are ENTITLED to receive the same as what other people work hard for.
The friends I have that are still living in public housing, have no complaints. Ask for help in calm, friendly and plite manner, even if you have to ask several times. Tact and diplomacy, courtious and humble requests bring results eventually. Get agressive and threatening and people will get their backs up. Especiallu Governments Departments
That is my experience with getting tings done.
Erica
