A man living with an intellectual disability has no choice but to shower in his front yard while waiting for his bathroom to be repaired.
Harold Kinross, 62, has been waiting for a new bathroom at his public housing home, in Nailsworth, Adelaide, after termites were found in it last October.
Since workers removed the toilet, sink, shower and walls from her upstairs bathroom, nothing has been done.
Not only have repair works not started, but the termite infestation persists.
The public housing tenant has lived in the same house for 28 years.
Harold Kinross, 62, was forced to shower in the front garden of his home after waiting four months for repairs to his bathroom.
The portable shower has left Mr Kinross feeling humiliated and he worries that neighbors will see him showering. He now showers around 5.30 so as not to be embarrassed.
South Australia Housing’s band-aid solution was to install a portable shower in their front yard.
Kinross said his daily routine has changed drastically since the termites were found.
“I have to come here around 5.30 in the morning because I’m embarrassed that the neighbors can see me taking a shower,” Mr Kinross said. 7News.
The long-term tenant said he feels humiliated and checks for anyone passing by before turning on the water.
Kinross said the portable shower leaks onto the trail and the facility is like being in a “prison cell.”
The tenant said he has been an ideal tenant during his decades in the house and deserves better.
‘It’s disgusting. Minister, do something about this. “I vote for you to do your job,” she said.
The upstairs bathroom of Mr Kinross’ public housing is infested with termites, which are still there after being discovered months ago. Termites don’t just damage the structure of a house: they can also eat shoes, clothing, and furniture.
South Australian human services minister Nat Cook said It was difficult to say when a replacement property would be available for Mr Kinross.
“I understand how difficult it has been for this tenant and his family,” he said.
Choice Australia says termites have the potential to cause “significant structural and economic damage” to homes.
Termites eat the inside of a structure, leaving only a thin layer to protect itself from the outside.
However, hungry insects don’t just devour structural material.
Termites can also eat furniture, paper, fabrics and clothing, shoes, and soft plastics.