Mum still smells dead son in one of 37 homes auctioned

FOR Alison Duncan, known within the community as Aunty Sue, the prospect of being kicked out of the home she has lived in for 15 years is heartbreaking.

FOR Alison Duncan, known within the community as Aunty Sue, the prospect of being kicked out of the home she has lived in for 15 years is heartbreaking.

Her son died several years ago and Ms Duncan said she could still smell him in the house.

"His room is untouched and I don't want to lose that," she said.

"I have all my grandkids, they love their uncle so much."

Ms Duncan lives in one of the 37 former Downs Housing Company homes that went to auction at Picnic Point on Saturday. The homes were transferred to that company in 2016 which recently defaulted on its mortgages.

Devastated at the thought of leaving her home Alison Duncan known as Aunty Sue (left) and Kevina Suey. Protest at Picnic Point during the auction of 37 homes from a Aboriginal housing company. February 2019. Picture: Bev Lacey

"For sale signs were dropped on us on Christmas Eve. Everyone was in shock," she said.

"We didn't know what was going on. Next thing we know there was an auction and April was our deadline to get out.

"There is sentimental value in this home to me."

Ms Duncan was one of about 100 protesters at the auction on Saturday.

"I have my grandkids crying because I have to leave that home," she said.

"It's making me anxious.

"I have had housing ring me and offer me a two bedroom unit, but I said I don't want a unit, I have too many grandkids and they won't be allowed to come and visit me because of housing commission rules in a unit.

"We just don't have options."

Kevina Suey was forced out of her Downs Housing Company home several years ago after she raised concerns about the company.

"I've been fighting this fight since 2015 and this is the first time we're getting heard," she said.

"Government needs to stand up and stop blaming each other and help us. Take the lead on it. We're stressed and we're strained."

37 Homes protest

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Greens MP for Maiwar Michael Berkman, who has been advocating for the plights of the tenants, said people were upset by the "dodgy dealings" by Downs Housing.

"With the sale of 37 houses we have to view that through the lenses of the ongoing disadvantage, dispossession and inherent racism of our system, a colonial system, and the impact that is having on aboriginal people to this day," he said.

Success Realty sales manager David Harms, who was tasked with selling the homes, said 34 of the 37 sold for prices ranging between $150,000 to $315,000.

"I have a lot of connections to the people in these homes and I feel for them," he said.

"We're working closely with the Department of Housing and the Department of Prime Minister and Cabinet to ensure all the tenants are looked after. So far there has been 11 approvals for social housing."

Mr Harms said some of the buyers had raised the possibility of allowing the tenants to stay on in the properties.

Originally published as Mum still smells dead son in one of 37 homes auctioned