By Dongyun Kwon
It has been “traumatic” two years for a Healesville resident.
Megan Kennewell, 52 years old, is in fear of being homeless in a few months.
Ms Kennewell and her kids had lived in a house owned by Uniting from 2015 to 2024.
While living in the house, she requested to fix issues that the house had; broken tiles, a leaking roof, mould and asbestos, falling-down back fence, and etc.
“I had asked them for many years to fix issues that got worse over time such as a massive hole in the roof that leaked water everywhere,” the 52 year old said.
“They came out a few times, checked things out and said they fixed them which they never ever did.”
In March 2024, Ms Kennewell’s daughter died of a severe asthma attack in the house at the age of 18.
Before the sorrow of losing her daughter went away, Ms Kennewell had to face another blow when she asked Uniting to repair the problems in the house one more time.
“(Uniting) sent two managing directors out with two of their other staff. They had a look around everything and then decided it was unlivable,” she said.
“They got me out of there pretty much straight away, put me in a B and B for two weeks, in a local pub for two nights, at a caravan park for another two weeks, in another local pub for two nights before they put me in (Maroondah Retirement Village).”
While she was staying in different temporary accommodations, she visited the Uniting’s Blackburn office with her friend where she was offered three options.
One of them was taking a lease for 12 months at Maroondah Retirement Village in Healesville.
“When they offered it to me, I asked them how long it would be for, and the lady said ‘indefinitely’,” Ms Kennewell said.
“Now, they rang me in and sent me a notice for 90 days to vacate because they were not going to renew my lease.
“It’s because I don’t meet the age criteria. It wasn’t mentioned to me at all when they put me in here, they’ve decided to use that now as an excuse.”
The age criteria for living in the retirement village is a minimum of 55.
The 52 year old said it’s hard to find a new house for her with the housing crisis going on.
“I want somewhere permanent. I don’t want to keep moving around. I just want to be stable,” Ms Kennewell said.
“I’ve had a very traumatic year already; losing my daughter, getting pulled out of my house and put here.
“I don’t have a licence at the moment. I’ll get my licence in about a month. I’m hoping to save and get a car, so I’ve got a car to go in at least if I have to.”
A Uniting spokesperson said Uniting supports vulnerable people to secure longer-term housing and understands it is stressful when someone has to move.
“We have been supporting Megan since 2015, offering multiple housing options,” they said.
“The current rental arrangement was always a temporary 12-month solution to allow Megan time to find more suitable accommodation.
“We will continue to assist her but need to take into account her current household circumstances and her eligibility to access housing through the Victorian Housing Register.”
