You’re looked down upon becasue you’re in public housing Tenants set to lose their voice

Alex de Vos
Residents of a public housing block in East Geelong face death threats, police visits, abuse and destruction almost daily as fellow tenants battle mental health issues and alcoholism, according to their advocacy group.
But Geelong South Public Tenant Group’s Janet Lonzarich said the battlers were set to lose one of the two places they could for help, with the group set to fold amid a funding shortfall and dwindling membership.
Ms Lonzarich said the other alternative for assistance, Office of Housing, usually turned a deaf ear to residents’ pleas for help.
Ms Lonzarich, the sole remaining member of the tenants group, said she was fed up with the public housing system.
“The attitude of some of the housing staff and the way they treat the tenants is disgusting,” Ms Lonzarich said.
“You’re looked down upon because you’re in public housing.
“A lot of anti-social behaviour goes on and it takes them a long time to do anything about it.”
Ms Lonzarich said the group, which represented 1265 public houses in the South Geelong region, acted as a “go between” for residents fighting for justice within the housing system.
“The basic idea is to get information from tenants and take it to the office of housing,” she said.
“We address a whole range of issues and have helped a lot of tenants.”
However, Ms Lonzarich said the group could be forced to close its doors after State Government withdrew funding earlier this year.
“We need more members so we can get funding,” Ms Lonzarich said.
“People really value our help.”
Ms Lonzarich demanded a shake-up of the state’s public housing system. She called on the Government to provide ongoing support for “anti-social” residents suffering mental health issues and alcoholism.
“We had three supposedly sobered-up alcoholics move in who were not sobered up.
“They were put into housing and then left for dead and told not to drink again,” Ms Lonzarich said.
“All of a sudden all hell broke loose. We complained to the office and eventually the man was evicted but he still has a problem, he’s still out there.
“These people need ongoing help.”