A TRASHED house in a Bendigo unit block has infuriated nearby residents, who say they feared for their safety at times.
Subscribe now for unlimited access.
$0/
(min cost $0)
or signup to continue reading
The Haven; Home, Safe transitional house has broken windows, a smashed gate and several walls kicked in, with the yard also littered with rubbish.
Resident Sarah* says the tenants had threatened some people in the street.
"They were very violent and the gate has been trashed and smashed," she said.
"Most of their garbage has been left behind, a mattress is lying on the road and there's broken windows, broken walls."
Ms Hicks claims her next-door neighbour was also threatened by one of the tenants.
"They smashed her fence and threatened her, it was scary for everyone," she said.
"There were eight or nine of them living there at the time - it's just unheard of.
"I just wonder why they got away with it."
The tenants were not evicted from the property but have since moved out.
Haven; Home, Safe chief operations officer Niall Hensey said the property was currently being cleaned up.
"I cannot comment on the particulars in this case, but I can confirm that we will be returning the property to a liveable condition before new tenants move in," he said.
"We are currently ensuring it is back to a liveable condition before new tenants move in."
Mr Hensey said there could be difficulties associated with transitional housing, but maintained he was not referring to any house in particular.
"We support disadvantaged people into long-term housing and there can be challenges in that work," he said.
"There can be issues unseen by the community and I would ask people to extend a greater level of tolerance at times."
To contact Haven; Home, Safe, call 5444 9000.
*Name changed to protect privacy.
Watch our video online via www.bendigoadvertiser.com.au
emma.schenk@fairfaxmedia.com.au