Perth resident Nicola Torres is facing eviction from her Forrestfield community housing property, managed by Foundation Housing. A scheduled eviction by a bailiff did not occur as planned.
The case centers on a dispute between Ms. Torres and Foundation Housing. Foundation Housing alleges Ms. Torres fell behind on rent and did not provide requested income verification, while Ms. Torres disputes these claims and states she was not offered tenancy support. The situation highlights complexities within the social housing system.
Background of the Dispute
Ms. Torres has resided in the property with her two children for four years. Foundation Housing CEO Chris Smith states that in February 2025, the organization requested proof of Ms. Torres's income to confirm her eligibility for the property and discounted rent, asserting that this information was not provided.
Ms. Torres states she does not recall a February request but provided the information at a later time. Foundation Housing also indicated an alert regarding alleged abuse of staff by Ms. Torres, preventing staff from attending the property. Ms. Torres denies abusing staff but acknowledged one instance of being upset by phone after a staff member allegedly missed a scheduled inspection for which she had taken unpaid leave.
During this period, Ms. Torres reported experiencing mental ill-health and issues with email communication, potentially contributing to missed warnings about her tenancy. Foundation Housing cited over $6,000 in arrears, property conditions, and lack of engagement as reasons for the eviction proceedings, stating that eviction is a last resort after internal efforts and tenant engagement. Ms. Torres disputes receiving tenancy support from Foundation Housing.
Social Housing Context and Calls for Support
Social housing initiatives aim to provide stable housing for individuals and families who might otherwise be unable to afford market rates. While the system provides tens of thousands of homes annually in Western Australia, several hundred people are evicted each year.
Shelter WA, the peak body for housing and homelessness services in WA, advocates for increased state government funding for specialist tenant support services. CEO Kath Snell emphasized the importance of such services to help tenants manage finances and other challenges, thereby reducing the risk of homelessness and eviction.
Government Position
Housing Minister John Carey stated that the state government funds a range of support services that individuals can access, and it is the responsibility of the individual to engage with these services. Research suggests that engagement with support services can be complex for individuals facing multiple challenges, with many seeking help only in emergency situations.
Ms. Torres and her children are expected to relocate. The ongoing situation underscores the complexities involved in balancing support for tenants with the management responsibilities of housing providers within the social housing framework.