Housing crisis: Our reports of July 19, September 6 and October 4 last year, detailing the repeated cries for shelter. Inset: Wendy Lovell. Graphic: Simone Hili
CONSTRUCTION of a $160 million public housing development will begin in Westmeadows in June, but the housing shortage in Hume is far from over.
The 'Valley Park' redevelopment will take five years to be fully completed and will include 144 government-owned social housing properties, 220 privately owned homes and a 120-bed aged-care home.
But with 2370 people now on the Broadmeadows public housing waiting list, the housing crisis is yet to be resolved.
Kadeijah Fatrouni says she longs to live in Broadmeadows, closer to her family, but state government red tape has prevented it.
The single mother of an autistic son was homeless three years ago.
After spending time in and out of motels, she is now in transitional housing outside of Hume.
But with her son attending school in Broadmeadows, she's fighting to find public housing in the area.
"Where I live now it's not permanent, it's not stable," she said.
"The government gave me 12 months and then my contract ends. I've been here 10 months.
"They said not to worry, though; but I don't know, I still get scared that I might not be here for long."
Ms Fatrouni says she just wants a secure backyard where her five-year-old son can play.
"I'm not asking for a mansion or a jacuzzi. I just want a sealed, safe backyard for my son, that's all I want."
Ms Fatrouni said the new housing in Broadmeadows would be great, but she didn't hold out hope she'd be placed there.
"You have to be homeless to get anywhere," she said.
"I've got a child with autism. I shouldn't have to wait to be homeless before I get a house.
"People say to me, 'Just be happy with what you've got'.
"That makes me more depressed.
"I don't have freedom, it's like being in a jail."
Housing Minister Wendy Lovell said the project would create 145 jobs and break down the traditional barriers existing between public housing estates and the rest of the community.
"The new estate will mean better social housing as well as new privately owned properties and aged-care accommodation," she said.
"Ultimately, the redevelopment aims to provide more and better private and social housing and create a more cohesive, better-connected community."