A vulnerable Aussie with a disability is forced to live in the horrible house: ‘My eyes burn from the smell’
- Disabled man with an NDIS provider living in squalor
- His NDIS package was reportedly over $100,000
A man with a disability lives in squalor despite an NDIS partner receiving more than $100,000 in grants to support him.
While living in the small town of Coonamble in northern New South Wales, Spencer Collins – who has an intellectual disability – was under the care of NDIS partner LiveBetter.
According to LiveBetter’s website, the company provides self-employed people with services such as “cooking, cleaning and personal care.”
But after Mr. Collins’ employers, Jenny and Scott Richardson, visited his home, they discovered that his home was dilapidated.
Footage from the house shows clothes and rubbish scattered around his bedroom, while his bathroom was covered in dirt and tiles had fallen off the wall.
A mentally challenged man, Spencer Collins (pictured), is found to be living in squalid conditions even though he is on an NDIS package reportedly worth more than $100,000
The Richardsons picked up LiveBetter’s pieces and got him a job at the pub.
‘I was disgusted. I don’t know how anyone can live like that, it made my eyes burn with the smell,” Mr Richardson told A Current Affair.
With the help of friends from the pub, the couple were also able to clean Mr Collins’ house.
Afterward, Ms. Richardson helped Mr. Collins leave LiveBetter for another NDIS service provider.
They also helped buy clothes for Mr. Richardson out of pocket.
“He’s living better now, not because of any help from LiveBetter, but because of his friends,” said Mr. Richardson.
Images from his home in Coonamble, northern New South Wales, show clothing and rubbish scattered around his room (pictured)
The website of the NDIS provider Mr Collins was previously with, LiveBetter, lists “cleaning” as one of the services they provide for assisted independent living
A LiveBetter executive, Briette Parish, said cleaning is not a service included with the provider.
She then said that Mr. Collins had not been given a caretaker.
The company’s website states that Ms. Parish has a “focus on best practice … to achieve the best possible model of service for all our participants.”
Mr. Collins’ NDIS package was worth more than $100,000, which means he may have received full-time support since the NDIS limits healthcare costs to $50 per hour.
Daily Mail Australia has reached out to LiveBetter for comment.