Armstrong Creek woman Deanna Jablan details ‘terrifying’ experience living out of a tent

A Geelong woman left homeless has told of alleged death threats, intimidation and brutal weather while sleeping rough in a paddock.

Deanna Jablan with her dog in front of the tent that she lives in behind Armstrong Creek shopping centre. Picture: Alan Barber

A Geelong woman left homeless has told of alleged threats, intimidation and brutal weather while sleeping rough.

Deanna Jablan, who has been living out of a tent in an empty paddock in Armstrong Creek for the past three years, fears she “wont make it through another winter” if her cries for emergency housing are not heard.

She claims the Department of Families, Fairness and Housing (DFFH) told her she could be waiting for up to a decade for secure accommodation.

“The public housing list is completely backed up … but I can’t live in a tent in winter this year,” she said.

Ms Jablan was approved for the Victorian Housing Register in July 2024.

A spokeswoman from DFFH said they were doing what they could to help.

“We have connected Ms Jablan to homelessness and other support services and are working to find her a long-term housing option,” she said.

“We are housing as many people as possible as quickly as possible, with more than 7000 households moving into social housing last financial year – an increase of 29 per cent from the previous year.”

Ms Jablan claimed she was terrified “all the time” after allegedly being harassed by an unknown man.

She said the harsh weather elements were just one of the many challenges in her life.

Recent storms have “ripped through” her tents, leaving them in pieces.

“We have to keep buying tents and bedding now,” she said.

She said was recently turned away by the Salvation Army when she asked for crisis accomodation.

“There were trees falling all around us and I rang for emergency accommodation but they said they couldn’t help,’ she said.

“They are giving me tools to use while I am homeless to help keep warm in my tent and sleeping bags.”

Ms Jablan said she also reached out to the office of embattled MP Darren Cheeseman in an attempt to change her fortunes.

“That has fallen on deaf ears,” she said.

“I call once a week and I’ve been into the reception twice and they say they’ll get back to me but they don’t call back.

Mr Cheeseman’s office has been contacted for comment.

It comes after some of her possessions were allegedly destroyed by a man she claims is hell bent on tormenting her.

“He comes with his car and puts his spotlight on us every night,” she said.

“He said it was my last chance.”

Victoria Police has been contacted for comment.

Originally published as Armstrong Creek woman Deanna Jablan details ‘terrifying’ experience living out of a tent