- The Guardian
- Issue #2176
The Renters and Housing Union Western Australia had a short term victory in an ongoing picket of the eviction of a single mother and two daughters by government-funded community housing provider Foundation Housing, after the bailiff left her property without attempting to enforce the eviction.
The bailiff attended the property after Foundation Housing CEO Chris Smith indicated the community housing provider still intended to enforce the eviction, but upon seeing the waiting picketers and media left the property without engaging with the tenant, Nicola Torres.
Advocates for Torres wrote to Foundation Housing requesting an urgent stay in the eviction as they seek further legal advice about her position and potential grounds for a Supreme Court challenge.
A bailiff had been ordered to evict Nicola Torres and her daughters into homelessness after Torres fell into rental arrears last year, which she subsequently repaid in full. Foundation Housing refused to accept the payment, returning the funds to Torres, and are insisting on evicting this family into homelessness with no support. Torres and her family have nowhere else to go.
Torres said, “I’m very grateful for the community turning up and everyone that’s been here with us today and shone light on what’s going on. There’s no way that I could have achieved this on my own.”
Media and communications officer for the Renters and Housing Union, William B said,the picket was “a huge success. It’s the first residential eviction picket we have tried in Western Australia, and we managed to prevent the eviction from taking place. As a result of our action, a mother and her children are able to sleep in their own home tonight.”
“Our message to the government is simple: You’re going to see more of this happening if you guys don’t step your game up. With every rent increase, unfair eviction, or injustice thrust upon tenants, the more we will organise, the more we will unite and the more evictions we will prevent. Don’t be mistaken to think we’ll go away.”
“My Message to tenants is this: Join us. No one can save us except ourselves. Every government has shown they will not be helping us. Only by us organising and fighting back together can we regain our dignity.”
“Renters in Western Australia are sick to death of getting the short end of the stick and it’s unacceptable.”
“May today stand as a warning to any landlord, real estate agent or community housing provider that thinks it’s okay to treat tenants without dignity: We are watching, we are militant and we will protect our homes if necessary. Under no pretext can housing be denied to anyone.”
