Case 52: Protecting a single mother of three from homelessness

Photo by Kayoko Hayashi on iStock

The Ministry of Housing tried to evict a single mother from public housing after it was found that her boyfriend was growing marijuana on the premises. The Ministry of Housing refused requests to reconsider the eviction notice. The mother applied to the Tribunal but lost her case. She then appealed to the Supreme Court and won. The Court ruled that the Ministry must reconsider its decision taking into account the Victorian Charter. In particular, the Ministry had to consider the mother’s right to property, right to privacy and right to family life. As a result, the Ministry withdrew the eviction notice.

Source: Michael Pearce SC, Submission to the Review of the Victorian Charter, 2011