Latest news with #structural damage
Yahoo
21-07-2025
- Health
- Yahoo
Gardener finds resident living with 'metre-deep holes' in sad public housing discovery
A gardener has revealed the horrific living conditions a public housing resident has endured for over a year after he knocked on his door and asked to help with his overgrown yard. Nathan Stafford, who regularly clears up unruly yards for free, first knocked on Jason's door last year. The garden on Campbell Street in Glebe, Sydney, had grown taller than the fence, but it was nothing compared to the condition of the property inside. Nathan claims the ceiling was covered in mould, the bedroom has several "metre-deep holes" in its floor, dropping straight down to the soil underneath the home, and the building had significant structural damage. Both Jason and his neighbours told Nathan they had contacted the public housing authority about the issue, but nothing had been done. A year later, after a recent check-in visit, Nathan said there has been absolutely no progress. "On the roof, there's still a huge black circle of mould, like a bubble. There's cracks all through it, and it's ready to collapse," he told Yahoo. "They're fully aware of this serious structural damage for over a year, and no one has tried to fix it." "He's stuck in that little place with no support and is just fading away... He's really struggling." Homes NSW claim property issues weren't flagged last year Yahoo News reached out to Homes NSW about the issues in the Glebe public housing residence, and authorities claim no "formal request" was received last year. "The claim this issue was first raised a year ago is not correct. The first formal request for flooring repairs at this property was submitted in May this year, and work orders have been in place since that time," a Home NSW spokesperson said. Authorities continued by saying contractors have attempted to carry out inspections and repairs, however, were unable to proceed as no access was granted while the tenant was in hospital. "A follow-up visit is now being arranged with a contractor who is coordinating works across a plumber, electrician and carpenter. This will happen as soon as access is permitted," the spokesperson said. "We take the health and safety of our tenants seriously and are working to support the resident and address the concerns raised about the condition of the home." 🏡Grim problem plaguing homes as 'poor living conditions' worsen 🧐 Aussies warned after tradie's 'horrific' discovery in rental home ‼️ Residents warned over widespread danger emerging in homes When asked to respond to the comments from Homes NSW, Nathan said he was in "disbelief" that authorities claimed they didn't know about the issues last year. "I know they were made aware of it last year in July. It's clearly another example of them trying to pass the buck on, not doing the right thing... they just don't care," Nathan told Yahoo. Homes NSW confirmed it is actively trying to get in touch with the tenant and address the property issues. Calls for public housing to reinvest funds back into sector This is the second report Yahoo News has received this month from friends of public housing residents who have endured poor living conditions. The first involved a resident in Coogee, where a 73-year-old man was living with black mould that covered the walls, ceiling and floor of his home. Housing advocates are urging authorities to reinvest funds back into the sector so the standard of living can be improved for vulnerable members of society needing accommodation support. "We used to have a system where public housing rents could only be spent by the government on repairing public housing and maintaining public housing... now it's not being reinvested and it should," Jordan van den Berg, tenant and housing advocate, told Yahoo News previously. "We need to fight for public housing that is good quality, accessible to anyone who wants to live in it, and not just the most desperate people in our society." Do you have a story tip? Email: newsroomau@ You can also follow us on Facebook, Instagram, TikTok, Twitter and YouTube.
CTV News
21-07-2025
- Automotive
- CTV News
Driver charged after crashing into northern Ontario church
A vehicle crashed through the wall of St. Alban the Martyr Anglican Church's hall in Mattawa, Ont., on July 18, 2025. The car is shown inside the building that morning. (St. Alban the Martyr Anglican Church/Facebook) A vehicle collided with the Church Hall building of St. Alban the Martyr Anglican Church in Mattawa, Ont., on Friday morning, causing what appears to be significant structural damage and resulting in charges for the driver. Car Crash - Mattawa Church Hall - Exterior A vehicle crashed through the wall of St. Alban the Martyr Anglican Church's hall in Mattawa, Ont., on July 18, 2025. The exterior of the building is shown after the crash. (St. Alban the Martyr Anglican Church/Facebook) Emergency response Ontario Provincial Police said the single-vehicle collision occurred at about 1:45 a.m. on July 18. Church officials said the driver was transported to hospital and emergency crews worked through the day to clear the scene. 'Please keep [the motorist] in your thoughts and prayers during this time,' the church wrote. In an email to CTV News, an OPP spokesperson confirmed the driver was assessed at Mattawa Hospital but 'there were no serious injuries sustained.' In a social media post, the church expressed gratitude to first responders, including the Mattawa and Papineau-Cameron Fire Departments, paramedics, local mechanics, tow truck operators and OPP. The Papineau-Cameron Fire Department confirmed its involvement in an email to noting it had been assisting Mattawa crews on another call prior to the crash. 'Papineau-Cameron Fire Department was assisting with another call with them just before this one, which was why we were in the same area,' said Fire Chief Neil O'Grady. O'Grady declined to comment further on the incident, directing inquiries to Mattawa officials. In a brief message to CTV News, Tanya McMartin, the church's caretaker, confirmed that she and her husband were called to the scene by emergency officials Friday morning. Ontario 511's highway webcam at the nearby Highway 17 roundabout captured images of the emergency response. Car Crash - Mattawa Church Hall - 511 cam First responders at the scene of a crash at a church on Main Street in Mattawa, Ont., shortly after 2:30 a.m. on July 18, 2025. (Ontario 511 Traveller Information Service) Damage and recovery 'The vehicle was being driven … on McConnell Street and after entering the roundabout at Valois Drive (near the church) it left the roadway and hit the church,' said OPP officials. The vehicle broke through the wall of the hall, located at 8 Main Street, and was removed by Friday evening. Car Crash - Mattawa Church Hall - cleared A vehicle crashed through the wall of St. Alban the Martyr Anglican Church's hall in Mattawa, Ont., on July 18, 2025. The interior of the building is shown after the car was removed. (St. Alban the Martyr Anglican Church/Facebook) The church announced the hall would remain closed indefinitely pending repairs. Police said they do not have details on the extent of the damage to the building. CTV News has also reached out to the church and the Mattawa Fire Department for further details about the damages, but has not yet received a response. As a result of the incident, the driver, a 79-year-old local man, has been charged with careless driving and driving a vehicle with the seatbelt assembly removed. This story will be updated as more details become available.
