Katie Fattel and disabled four-year-old Cassian closer to avoiding homelessness after public outcry

After facing the threat of homelessness and told to “manifest a house”, a mum is finally breathing a sigh of relief for her and her disabled son – but there’s a catch.

Over the past week, Katie Fattel and her severely disabled toddler have gotten closer and closer to the lifeline they desperately needed.

Facing homelessness, with four-year-old Cassian needing ongoing life support, the SA Housing Trust appeared unable to find her a home for more than six months.

But after the 40-year-old Woodvile mother went public, explaining how a good-intentioned but naive public servant offered New Age guides on how to “manifest a home”, Ms Fattel was told yesterday that two vacant properties have been identified.

Katie Fattel with son Cassian, who is severely disabled and requires constant access to life support equipment. Picture: Tom Huntley

Both are in need of repairs and it is still unclear whether they can be equipped with disability adjustments, but Ms Fattel said she was breathing sighs of relief.

“It looks like we’re going to have something, but I’m not sure where yet,” she said.

“It’s really just about making sure that the house can be modified, but I'm hopeful that we won’t be homeless in September.

“It’s just a relief to know work is being done.”

Cassian survived a near-fatal drowning at 18-months-old that left him with cerebral palsy, seizures and respiratory problems. Picture: Katie Fattel

Katie Fattel and her severely disabled toddler have gotten closer and closer to the lifeline they desperately needed.

With at least 15,000 people on the waiting list for public housing, Ms Fattel said she wanted the government to build more homes for the vulnerable.

“The fact they had vacant homes just sitting there and no one living in them is mind-boggling,” she said.

“I’m hoping both are actually fixed so that two families can find a home.”

Ms Fattel also revealed that several Adelaide locals contacted her with offers of temporary accommodation, and one retired carpenter even offered to build disability-friendly furniture for Cassian.

After The Advertiser’s story last Friday, Acting Housing Minister Tom Koutsantonis promised to “personally case manage” the Fatttels’ application and said the public servant in question was now under a performance review.

South Australia has more than 1800 vacant public homes that have fallen into disrepair, with the state government promising to crack down on bad tenants and ensure maintenance workers are paid on time.

Originally published as Katie Fattel and disabled four-year-old Cassian closer to avoiding homelessness after public outcry