Outrage at mouldy public housing units, with former tenant revealing problem existed nine years ago

A former tenant of a public housing complex with chronic mould problems has revealed she had mildew growing in her lungs while living there nearly a decade ago.

SOCIAL service bodies and opposition parties have slammed the “substandard” living conditions for residents at a South Hobart public housing complex.

Damning medical reports, seen by the Mercury this week, painted an alarming picture of the health issues Milles St housing residents were exposed to as a result of toxic mould at the complex.

TENANTS’ TALES OF MOULDY MISERY IN PUBLIC HOUSING COMPLEX

It was revealed residents were suffering nose bleeds, chest pains and dizziness while parents feared for their children’s health and one resident slept nights in his car.

Britt McNeil, who lived at the housing complex nine years ago, said recent reports of toxic mould at the site reignited her memories about the clammy conditions during her tenancy.

“Within six months of living there I started feeling sick and after seeking medical advice I was told I had mildew growing in my lungs,” she said.

“I couldn’t believe it when I saw current residents speaking out about their mould concerns because they are facing the same issue I had.”

Mould in a window of the South Hobart unit complex. Picture: ZAK SIMMONDS

Tasmanian Council of Social Service chief executive Adrienne Picone said it was “unacceptable” that Tasmanians were living in “unsafe and unfit accommodation”.

She said targeted investment and a focused program of upgrades and maintenance of public housing properties would add to the benefits for Tasmania’s population, workforce and economy.

“We know our State Government doesn’t want to see Tasmanians on the streets or sleeping in their cars and has committed to fast-tracking construction of social and affordable housing. It is imperative the upkeep and maintenance of existing social housing stock sits alongside these initiatives,” she said.

Tasmanian Greens MP Rosalie Woodruff.

Greens health spokeswoman Rosalie Woodruff said there was little doubt Milles St tenants’ health was being put at risk by their home.

“As the Government considers its COVID-19 rebuild, it must prioritise refitting public housing that is predisposed to unhealthy and chronic mould,” she said.

“We urge the ministers for health and housing to champion public tenants’ health.”

Labor MP Ella Haddad said the Government should use funding from its construction blitz to clear the maintenance backlog in public housing.

“Social and community housing has a $60 million maintenance liability – the Government need to address this in the upcoming budget and include Labor’s COVID-19 Recovery Package recommendation for energy efficient upgrades to reduce mould,” she said.

Labor MP Ella Haddad urged the Government to act on its $60 million public housing maintenance backlog.

Housing Minister Roger Jaensch said the Government wanted public housing tenants to be “safe and healthy in their homes”.

“Our job is to ensure we are providing a structurally safe and sound property for them to live in and assistance and guidance for them on how to maintain it properly, so we will keep doing that for all of our tenants,” he said.