Change in social housing arrangements after hospital stay

June 2022

Nelson* lives in social housing but recently had a stay in hospital to recuperate from hip surgery. Following his discharge, he was told by his housing provider that his room was no longer available, and was provided with alternative short-term accommodation.

Nelson was worried that his new housing arrangements put him at risk of homelessness and his distress caused him to attempt an overdose of medication.

Nelson made a complaint of disability discrimination by his housing provider with ADNSW.

When ADNSW contacted Nelson’s housing provider, they denied discriminating against Nelson and said the accommodation provided to Nelson had always been intended as short term and his room was not able to meet his accessibility requirements after his discharge from hospital. 

The housing provider also said that they had made numerous attempts to communicate with Nelson and help him to find alternate accommodation, including referring him to other services. 

The complaint was resolved at a conciliation conference when the housing provider provided a written apology to Nelson for his experience.

*Name has been changed to protect the privacy of the individual