www.awnw.com.au
Issue #289 – Wednesday, 8 July, 2015
Albury Wodonga’s largest circulating newspaper
Sisters using their heads to help out It’s a hairy business, but lopping off their luscious locks is something two Wodonga sisters are happy to be doing to support those living with alopecia. READ MORE ON PAGE 8.
Place to call home By ERIN SOMERVILLE A YOUNG Wodonga couple with disability needs face homelessness after support agencies have been unsuccessful in helping them find a suitable home. Sheree and Chris Psaila say they have moved 10 times in the past two years in Victoria and South Australia after finding properties have been unsuitable and hazardous to Sheree’s health and well-being. Sheree, 21, was born with the rare arthrogryposis multiplex congenital and has no muscles in her arms and legs. She has faced many battles, and endured 22 bouts of surgery before her first birthday, fought the odds to walk, broken her arm four times through falls, and requires full-time care to assist her with everyday activities such as showering, eating, and getting dressed. But battling homelessness is a fight she and her family weren’t expecting. The newlywed couple have sought assistance through the Department of Health and Human Services and Rural Housing, but have been unable to find an affordable property suitable for Sheree’s needs. Her condition means she requires ramps, door handles with levers instead of knobs, low light switches and benchtops, conditions suitable for her companion dog Elly, and enough space to use her go-fer and access support services. The failure to find appropriate accommodation means Sheree is currently unable to access support from disability workers, leaving husband Chris as her full-time carer and unable to seek full-time work. A lack of permanent accommodation also means Sheree’s access to individualised funding to self-manage the services she needs and offer her independence could be jeopardised, according to her mother Lorraine Ahearn. It is a situation that has left the couple living in Sheree’s parents’ cramped house, which is unsuitable for her go-fer and disability needs. The couple now face the prospect of living in a hotel or caravan park through the assistance of Rural Housing. They would be expected to pay for some of these costs, which they fear could add up to be very costly if they can’t find a suitable home quickly.
Above: Chris Psaila has become his wife Sheree's full-time carer. 141479 Left: Sheree and Chris Psaila face being homeless with little housing available to meet Sheree's disability needs. 141479 Picture: ERIN SOMERVILLE Rural Housing has over 60 properties in the Wodonga Area, with a greater demand than supply, and has very limited options for those with disability needs. Rural Housing Manager of Service Development Laura Simpson said the organisation would like to see a greater investment from all levels of government to address the immediate needs of people who are homeless or at risk of homelessness. “The options available to people who are facing homelessness are limited, as there are not enough resources to meet demand,� Ms Simpson said. “A lack of supply of all accommodation types, and a severe strain on resources to pay for them are the main impacting factors. “Short-term accommodation options are extremely limited in all regional areas, as we rely on private businesses such as caravan parks and motels. “We also have limited funding to assist people
accessing this form of short-term accommodation.� The couple say they aren’t averse to seeking property through private real estate but have found it expensive and difficult to find something suitable for Sheree’s condition on the private market. They have applied for a private rental in Wodonga this week, but say the option is not ideal. “We put in an application for a real estate property because we had no other option,� Chris said. “We’re not even sure we are going to get that, and it’s not suitable for Sheree, but it’s a roof over our heads.� The battle to find a home has left Sheree’s mother feeling frustrated and determined to see her daughter become a valued and engaged member of the community. “I raised Sheree to be independent, and she
has the right to be independent,� she said. “She has so much to offer.� The Department of Health and Human Services spokesperson said Mr and Mrs Psaila were supported in completing a public housing application last month, and that an offer of emergency housing was made and declined, a claim which Chris denies. “Public housing in Victoria is structured in a way that it offers support first to those that need it most,“ the spokesperson said. “The department houses more than 125,000 Victorians across more than 60,000 public housing properties. In Wodonga there are more than 1300 public housing properties. “Properties can be and are modified to suit the disability needs of eligible tenants. “The Department of Health and Human Services assisted the family with a bond loan and understands the family are in the process of securing private rental."
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