By Rowan Forster
A Pakenham single mother claims she is living in fear, exposed to home invasions, because the Department of Human Services is too inundated to fix her fallen fence.
Georgina Friscic’s side fence was completely unearthed after a freak weather event more than a month ago, making her home a “target” for thieves.
Ms Friscic, a public housing tenant in Matthews Court, claims she tried to have the damage repaired by government maintenance workers, but she was told they have been too busy.
It comes as Housing Victoria statistics reveal the Dandenong region – encompassing Berwick and Pakenham – has the longest waiting list in Victoria.
In the last quarter, 2,494 applications were made for social housing in the district.
The Pakenham woman suspects the department is under resourced to deal with the skyrocketing demand.
“They said they didn’t have the time or people available to come and fix it – and that’s what they’ve said for a month,” Ms Friscic said.
“I just think they don’t have enough people to deal with the amount of demand.”
She claims she is sleepless at night, knowing she and her daughter are vulnerable to a break-in while their property is exposed.
“I feel like I’m working full time as a security guard in my own house,” she said.
“We hear noises at night and we’ve had a few bad experiences – I can’t even sleep properly anymore.”
However, Ms Friscic is happy to have a home – a blessing that many miss out on.
Roughly 10 residents from Cardinia Shire seek housing assistance from WAYSS Homelessness Service per week, a 56 per cent increase over the last five years.
Sheridan Lodge, who lives in Meeking Drive, spoke of her horrific experience being homeless for nearly two years.
When she first moved into her Department of Housing property, she claims it took three months for her front door to be repaired.
“I feel like they’re doing the best with that they’ve got, but there’s just so many people doing it tough that they can’t keep up,” she said.
“It was quite scary knowing my new home wasn’t secure.”
