Katie Fattel has only two months until eviction – throwing the life of her four-year-old Cassian in danger

A mum facing homelessness with her disabled son was told by a public servant to “manifest” a home. Now Tom Koutsantonis has pledged to “personally case manage” the family’s situation.

A mother facing homelessness with her life support-bound toddler was offered guides on New Age practices to “manifest” a home by an SA Housing Trust public servant.

That was on top of a Google link for where to find a free tent, but Katie Fattel said her four-year-old son Cassian is “facing death” without a power supply for his medical machines, pleading for the Premier to intervene.

The pair, along with Cassian’s father, will be shunted out of their Woodville rental of eight years this September because water damage is making it uninhabitable and the landlord cannot afford repairs.

Katie Fattel helping her son Cassian into his standing support aide. Picture: Tom Huntley

After surviving a 2021 backyard pool drowning, Cassian lives with acquired cerebral palsy and cannot support his legs or neck without aid.

He is non-verbal and needs a minimum of three machines to stay alive, including a feeding tube active 22 hours a day.

“He won’t survive being homeless – he would probably get extremely sick and die very quickly,” the 40-year-old mother said.

“Homelessness is bad for anyone going through it but Cassian has no capacity to adapt to it like you or I can.

Ms Fattel has been on the Housing Trust wait list since January but is yet to find out whether she will be homeless or not come September. Picture: Tom Huntley

“He needs a safe place to live and I need a safe place to take care of him.”

While their two-storey house has an upstairs bedroom, Ms Fattel is his full-time carer and sleeps in the living room next to her son because he requires hour-to-hour supervision.

Since applying for the Housing Trust in January, they have been fast-tracked to category one priority thanks to a case worker’s intervention.

However, Ms Fattel said she was “shocked” by an ensuing email from the same person with links to guides for manifestation – a spiritual practice that suggests mental willpower alone can influence real world outcomes.

The 20 different articles featured titles such as “How to Manifest a House That’s Perfect for You” and “How to Manifest Anything You Want, According to a Witch”.

Cassian survived a near-fatal drowning at 18-months old. Picture: Supplied

He loves being read to and watching the TV show Bluey, according to his mother, and will begin a special school next year. Picture: Tom Huntley

The author of the former gives the following instruction: “Believe that it can happen for you, and even if you don’t know how or when, expect that it is already done and that the forces that be are bringing you closer to your home every day.”

Another advises writing a “list of everything you’d love your dream house to have”, “asking the universe”, and “taking inspired action towards your goal” such as driving around a preferred suburb.

Ms Fattel said she believed there were “good intentions” but that the family did not need “wishful thinking”.

The same employee also sent Ms Fattel links to resources for free camping gear and safe rough sleeping locations, adding: “Please forgive me if sending these links causes you upset, as I’m sure it will. I am also at a loss as to what to do.”

L-R: Cassian’s wheelchair, walking aide and supportive chair. Picture: Tom Huntley

“It was actually just making me a lot more distressed because, at the end of the day, I can Google all of this myself,” she said.

“I thought they would have advice or inside resources that I could take advantage of and instead it was just Google links.

“I think the issue is there are so many layers in housing that they don’t understand his needs … All they’re getting at the top is the fact he’s disabled but not that he’s severely, profoundly disabled.”

Should they end up on the street, Ms Fattel has been advised a hospital bed would be made available for Cassian, meaning he would have to live apart from his family.

Private rentals are no solution because the NDIS will only pay for adjustments, such as access ramps and ceiling hoists, on Housing Trust dwellings, in order to avoid repeat renovations.

Ms Fattel said she still sees a future and is finishing her Honours year of a Bachelor of Social Work.

“I’ve heard it all before, that you’re a sponge or you’re trying to live off the government, but I’m trying to find an opportunity to make our lives better,” she said.

As for Cassian, he is starting at a special school next year and “the world is his oyster”.

He loves being read to and watching his favourite TV shows, especially Bluey.

“Cassian survived against all odds … the last prognosis we’ve received is 30, 40 years, but for that to happen, he needs a home and he needs his life support.”

Ms Fattel said she still sees a future for her family despite all the odds against them. Picture: Tom Huntley

An SA Housing Trust spokeswoman said “staff go over and above to support tenants” and that “any reference to manifestations would not be deemed appropriate”.

“Applicants assessed as category one are our immediate priority, but with limited vacancies, some individuals with extensive requirements such as the need for multiple bedrooms, downstairs bathrooms and disability modifications, may not have access to social housing as quickly,” the spokeswoman said.

“Staff have worked closely with Ms Fattel, including a meeting today, to ensure she has access to other appropriate government support services, including private rental support, HomeStart Finance and NDIS.

“We are also actively advocating with community housing providers who specialise in disability accommodation to find a suitable home.”

Speaking to ABC Radio Adelaide on Friday morning, acting Housing Minister Tom Koutsantonis promised to “personally case manage” the family’s situation.

“She’s so compassionate and caring, she didn’t even want to get upset at the person who sent this email,” Mr Koutsantonis said.

“The idea that a professional public servant would send emails about how to manifest housing through prayer or witchcraft is just bizarre.”

Mr Koutsantonis could not guarantee the Fattels a home at this stage.

“It depends on availability – we’re not going to throw a family out to put Katie in,” he said.

“We are embarking on a massive building program and houses do become available. It depends on of course where she lives and where her community is, and making sure that Katie is comfortable with the location we give her.”

Anti-Poverty Network co-ordinator Jasmin Witham, who has been advocating for Ms Fattel, said “there are many out there in similar situations” with more than 15,000 South Australians waiting for public housing.

She said the state government’s commitment of several hundred new dwellings will “barely make a dent in the level of community need” and urged measures such as rent caps and vacancy taxes.

“It will take thousands of new public homes to truly rebuild the Housing Trust,” Ms Witham said.

Holding her child, Ms Fattel said she just wanted to see action.

“If it is based on need, who can be more in need than someone like Cassian who cannot survive without a house?”

Originally published as Katie Fattel has only two months until eviction – throwing the life of her four-year-old Cassian in danger