A portable bathroom, including a trailer-based toilet, is what a 72-year-old Mayfield woman has been expected to use for the past three-and-a-half months after the bathroom of her social-housing home was deemed unsafe.
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Deral Black, who has lived in the house for 21 years, discovered a water leak in her bathroom in April and called a plumber to investigate.
The plumber found the floor of her shower was at risk of collapsing and called the Land and Housing Corporation on her behalf to detail the "priority job".
Ms Black says the NSW government agency installed the temporary facilities as a safety measure until the repair work was carried out.
But more than three months later, Ms Black is still awaiting the repairs.
"It's absolutely disgusting because it's right on the street," she said. "Everybody walking past ... I'm not going out at night time because you can't even lock the door.
"They're like portaloos. The toilet is up on a trailer, which is absolutely ridiculous, and the shower is next to it. It's been sitting out the front for three months."
Ms Black says the Land and Housing Corporation has "done nothing" because of a dispute about the repairs with a builder, who suggested the entire bathroom needed to be renovated - not just the floor repaired.
"They're fighting with each other about how much it's going to cost," she said.
Newcastle state MP Tim Crakanthorp said Ms Black's situation was "shocking and shameful".
"It is beyond belief that not only has Ms Black been without a bathroom for three months while paying full rent, she is expected to use an unlockable, portable facility in her yard," he said.
"To add insult to injury, she has to do this through the coldest time of the year."
The Land and Housing Corporation confirmed the water leak was reported through a contractor maintenance line in early April.
"Investigations were undertaken to assess the required repairs and have the work scoped and priced," a spokesperson said. "Portable bathroom facilities were also provided in April as investigations were underway."
While the Land and Housing Corporation did not comment on the cost of the portable facilities, local hire companies the Newcastle Herald spoke to on Wednesday said the toilet and shower would cost between $3000 to $5000 for four months' use.
Mr Crakanthorp said Ms Black was not alone in her wait for repairs with his office receiving calls for assistance with maintenance issues on "an almost daily basis".
"I have raised this issue with both the Land and Housing Corporation and the minister on a number of occasions," he said. "It is long overdue for a resolution.
"For eight long years, this government has sold off a record amount of social housing while at the same time failing to invest in existing social housing stock."
The Land and Housing Corporation spokesperson said a maintenance contactor, Broadspectrum, had "completed their investigations" and was "expected to commence the work later this week subject to Ms Black's availability".
Ms Black said she received a call late on Wednesday after the Herald's inquires.
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