FAMILIES in a Strathdale street say they are fed up with aggressive, violent and convicted people moving into a Department of Human Services house in the middle of the street.
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Several residents have contacted the Bendigo Advertiser after a man living in the house was this month charged with a string of offences throughout Bendigo.
The man was the second person in a row to be living in the house who had left families in the street feeling afraid to leave their homes.
One resident said she was forced to plant trees in her front yard to block the previous tenant from abusing herself, her husband and their three children each time they went outside.
"The kids were petrified to go outside. They would have nightmares about the people," she said.
The first tenant lived in the house for more than five years and was charged after neighbours put in a number of complaints to police about her aggressive behaviour.
They said the woman and her friends would stay in the front yard constantly and threaten anyone who came past.
The second person at the house, who lived with a registered tenant partner and three children, lasted nine months before he was arrested.
A resident said the man had a serious drug dependency problem and people would come and go all day and night.
She said while people in the street did not oppose having a DHS house next door, the department should screen potential tenants better.
"We completely understand that some people get down on their luck and it's their only option," the resident said.
"We see the house as great for people who are down on their luck.
"But there are so many people out there needing a place to live. You don't know what sort of situation people can be in, they could have lost a spouse.
"We're all for DHS housing for people in need, but they need better assessment of which streets are appropriate."
Residents say the street contains a number of families and home owners, many of which walk past the house on their way to school or kindergarten.
They say one tenant left the house in need of up to $40,000 in repairs.
A spokesperson for the Department of Human Services said the man charged recently who was residing at the house was not registered with the department.
"The man referred to was not a tenant of the department, nor was he a registered resident," the spokesperson said.
"The matters concerning this man are of a criminal nature and we understand Victoria police are taking action with regard to his alleged offences."
The department encourages anyone with concerns about tenancy arrangements to contact their local office of public housing, which will follow up reports.
Those facing situations potentially criminal in nature are encouraged to contact police.
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