Public servant’s witchcraft tips to solve housing woes ‘Shouldn’t have happened’ Minister Tom Koutsantonis says

Emails to a mother with a disabled son that suggested guides to ‘manifesting’ a home ‘should not have happened’ says the Housing Minister, who has vowed to personally manage the pair’s case.

A Housing Trust worker who offered a near-homeless mum and her disabled son guides for using spells to “manifest” a home has been put under a performance review after public outcry.

Acting Housing Minister Tom Koutsantonis said the content of the email was “absolutely inappropriate” and promised to “personally manage” the affected family’s case, but an overnight solution was not guaranteed.

Katie Fattel and her four-year-old son Cassian, who has cerebral palsy and requires constant life support, will be forced to vacate their Woodville rental in September due to water damage and mold.

Katie Fattel and her son Cassian are being forced out of their Woodville home and have waited eight months for a Housing Trust spot. Picture: Tom Huntley

On Friday, The Advertiser reported that in her dealings with the SA Housing Trust, a case worker sent Ms Fattel links to spiritual articles with titles such as “How to Manifest a House That’s Perfect for You” and “How to Manifest Anything You Want, According to a Witch”.

The worker also sent Google links to resources for obtaining a free tent and safe rough sleeping locations, which Ms Fattel said were “good intentioned” but “unhelpful”.

Minister for Human Services, Nat Cook said “I personally apologise for any confusion or upset that Katie has experienced,”

Mr Koutsantonis said upon being notified of the family’s case on Friday, he had tasked the Housing Trust with investigating “urgent temporary options”.

He added that the references to manifestation were “absolutely inappropriate and should not have happened”.

Acting Housing Minister Tom Koutsantonis said the emails to Ms Fattel referencing New Age practices were “absolutely inappropriate”. Picture: Morgan Sette

“When Ms Fattel’s situation was brought to my attention this morning it was extremely distressing and I committed to following it through,” he said.

“These options might include discussions with her current landlord to provide extra support as well as discussions with community housing providers who specialise in disability accommodation to support her son with complex needs.”

The Fattels require modifications in their home for wheelchair access and ceiling hoists, as well as bedrooms for Cassian’s siblings.

Mr Koutstantonis said the situation was “very complex” but that it had “been escalated to the highest level with senior staff involved”.

Ms Fattel has made “dozens” of private rental applications since January without hearing back, but the NDIS will only pay for the adjustments Cassian needs in a Housing Trust dwelling.

His NDIS support co-ordinator Chloe Matthews said she had appealed to at least 20 social services groups without luck.

“If I had a million dollars I would just buy them a house … (Cassian) has one of the most complex and severe disabilities of all my children and he just doesn’t deserve this,” she said.

After surviving a backyard pool drowning, the toddler also developed breathing problems, seizures and cannot support his legs and neck.

Katie Fattel with son Cassian’s situation has been ‘escalated to the highest level’. Picture: Tom Huntley

With more than 15,000 people waiting for public housing, Anti-Poverty Network campaigner Pas Forgione said building a “few extra hundred public homes is not going to do much”.

“We’ve had more than 20,000 homes sold off in the last few decades … A situation like theirs is the predictable outcome of public housing being dismantled and sold off,” he said.

Shadow Housing Minister Michelle Lensink urged the state government to fast track repairs on the 1800 damaged public homes that could house families like the Fattels.

“Until those are fixed, vulnerable families are missing out,” she said.