The mother of a young boy living with a severe disability claims she was told to use ‘spells’ to magically find a home, as the family faces homelessness.
Katie Fattel, 40, who lives in a rented house in Woodville, in Adelaide’s north-west, has been given until September to vacate her home.
The lease on the property is about to expire and the house has suffered severe water damage that needs to be repaired.
Mrs Fattel was also told by housing authorities that the home would not be big enough for her four-year-old son Cassian, who has cerebral palsy.
Cassian needs several devices to support his leg and neck. For continued care, it is essential that he has a place to live.
The mother of seven applied for social housing through the SA Housing Trust in January.
The employee has increased her application to category 1, which is reserved for people in urgent need of housing.
When Mrs. Fattel asked the employee how long it would take for her to receive an offer, she claimed she was given links to websites with sayings on how to wish for a house.
Katie Fattel, 40 (pictured), who lives in a private rental home in Woodville, Adelaide’s north-west, has been given until September to vacate her private rental home
“My heart sank, I just couldn’t believe it,” she said 7News.
When Mrs. Fattel asked what she would do if her family became homeless, she was given information on how to set up a tent and where to get camping equipment.
It is understood that SA Housing Trust has launched an investigation into the matter and the employee will receive further training and support.
Mrs Fattel said the social worker did her best to help her.
“She saw Cassian and me in crisis, she knows our situation in a way that the people at the top don’t,” Fattel said.
“They are so far removed from the reality of the people in crisis.”
Australians continue to struggle to find affordable housing as inflation and rising interest rates push up house prices across the country.
According to property website Domain, the average price of an apartment in Adelaide in the third quarter was $489,557.
The average price of a home in the city is $902,332.
Mrs Fattel said she was sent links to websites with spells on how to magically wish upon a house (stock image)
South Africa’s Housing Minister Tim Koutsantonis and Social Affairs Minister Natalie Cook have both apologised to Ms Fattel for the response she received.
Ms Cook said the advice fell short of the help that should be provided to people in urgent need of housing.
Mrs Fattel will now have to wait at least seven months for a house and has called on Prime Minister Peter Malinauskas to intervene.
“Who would he think is more in need than my son, who will die without a home,” she said.
Daily Mail Australia has contacted SA Housing and the Housing Minister for comment.