My home is making me sick, says Debborah

September 29, 2008

Auckland stuff.co.nz - Auckland,New Zealand*

By JUSTIN LATIF - Western Leader | Tuesday, 30 September 2008

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Wheelchair-bound Debborah Fitzgerald says her specially modified

Housing New Zealand home is so mouldy it's making her sick.

But her landlords say they can't move her because there aren't

suitable alternatives available.

The best they can do is send in a contractor to clean up the place.

Debborah's spina bifida has confined her to wheelchair since birth

and she is highly susceptible to infections because of a condition

called methicillin resistant staphylococcus areus.

" I'm quite sick and I think it's because of the dampness of this

house, " she says.

" There's mould on the curtains and the toilets are rotting. I can't

sleep in my bedroom, I can hardly breath in there. "

Housing NZ spokeswoman O'Sullivan says the organisation's

hands are tied when it comes to finding a new home for Debborah.

" We would be very reluctant to move a disabled tenant, who is living

in a modified home, without very good reason because these homes are

in high demand and do not become available often. "

Housing Minister an Street says more homes are being built to

ease pressure on waiting lists and help people like Debborah.

" In the next 18 months it is anticipated that 10 units will be added

to the stock in west and north Auckland.

" Housing New Zealand aims to ensure 10 percent of all its new homes

are accessible for people with disabilities. "

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