Disability pensioner Paul Williams says he has nowhere else to turn after receiving an eviction notice

A blind, diabetic pensioner has nowhere left to turn and is at risk of homelessness after being booted from his long-term rental property on the Eastern Shore – all for the sake of renovations.

Blind disability pensioner Paul Williams is worried how he'll be able to continue living with his family and pets after he was given 45 days to vacate his rental property at Warrane. Picture Chris Kidd

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BLIND disability pensioner Paul Williams says he has been left “devastated” and “with no options left” after he was given an eviction notice by his landlord and 45 days to vacate his Eastern Shore home.

The Warrane grandfather who also has type-2 diabetes said for the past several years he had been paying $640 per fortnight on a month-to-month contract for a private rental property.

Mr Williams said over the past 18-months he had also been applying for public housing residency “yet still can’t get anything”.

Blind disability pensioner Paul Williams is worried how he'll be able to continue living with his family and pets after he was given 45 days to vacate his rental property at Warrane. Picture Chris Kidd

After informing the state’s housing provider about his predicament when his landlord handed him an eviction notice, Mr Williams said he had been left with nowhere to turn.

The grandfather and former delivery driver, who stopped work following an injury, said he was told to vacate the property to allow for renovations to occur.

“Once the renovations are complete I won’t be able to afford the rent because I’m told it’s going to increase to $450 per week, which is money I don’t have,” he said.

“Last week’s income, once bill money was taken out, was $139.

“What’s made matters worse is my wife just left me.

“But she has been wonderful in providing for my medical needs. If she hadn’t walked out she did I possibly wouldn’t be here. It’s given me a wake up call that there’s more out there for me than I realise.”

Mr Williams, who lives alongside his daughter and three grandchildren, said the family would be left homeless unless an appropriate home is found.

He said he was against being placed in emergency housing accommodation because it would likely mean he wouldn’t be able to keep his pets, which he said were forms of comfort.

Blind disability pensioner Paul Williams is worried how he'll be able to continue living with his family and pets after he was given 45 days to vacate his rental property at Warrane. Picture Chris Kidd

“I’ve got no options available. I refuse to lose my pets because they’re my family. I’ve lost too much in my life,” he said.

“I mean, I’m already suffering severe depression and anxiety as it is, but this situation has just made things worse. I feel like every door I knock on just closes tighter on me. The emotional toll I’ve faced has been devastating.”

Mr Williams said he had inquired with Housing Tasmania about a vacant disability-suited public housing property in Gagebrook but was yet to hear back.

He praised the support he had received from independent MP Madeleine Ogilvie.

Housing Tasmania said anyone experiencing housing stress or who may be at risk of homelessness should contact Housing Connect to access emergency accommodation options.

“There are a range of emergency accommodation options available, including brokered emergency accommodation and shelter accommodation,” a spokesman said.

“Pet boarding can also be arranged for clients accessing emergency accommodation options if required.

“Housing Connect provides information, advice and support – including financial assistance – to Tasmanians experiencing housing stress, housing crisis and homelessness. This includes those who are facing eviction in the private rental market.”