When Noongar man Harvey Coyne, 66, finally found a home after years of experiencing homelessness he was overjoyed.
Harvey, who has a range of serious health issues including heart problems, emphysema and vision impairment, was given a placement with social housing provider Housing Choices Australia in Perth, where he has lived for the past four years.
However, Housing Choices now wants Harvey to vacate the premises – and have served him with a ‘no-grounds’ eviction notice, which the not-for-profit is prepared to contest in court.
Denise Belotti said her friend Harvey is vulnerable.
“He’s frail, he takes daily medication, maybe about 15 tablets daily,” she said.
“He’s got a broken hip at the moment and he’s coming up for a triple [heart] bypass.
“And I mean, if they keep going to kick him out, if Harvey vacates his property, then he’s got nowhere to go.”
Housing Choices Australia director of housing services Cynara Miles said in a statement to NITV that they couldn’t comment on Mr Coyne’s specific tenancy situation due to privacy concerns but, in general, while they aim to balance the rights and needs of residents and communities, there are times when ending a tenancy becomes necessary.
“While this is always a difficult decision, including the potential issue of a Notice of Termination, it is considered only as a last resort,” she said.
“We take great care in making this decision, ensuring all factors are carefully reviewed.
“When termination is necessary, tenants are provided with information about available support services and alternative accommodation options in their area.”
But the chief executive of the peak body for seniors in Western Australia, Advocare, Bev Jowle said they have significant concerns that Harvey’s eviction will result in his homelessness.
“Harvey Coyne is a quintessential example of someone who has been continually failed by an inflexible and complex aged care system,” she said in a statement.
Harvey was first assessed for aged care services in 2020 but it was not until late 2024 that he started to receive services after receiving support of the care finder program at Advocare.
Advocare received a referral to support Harvey in 2024 when he was then facing eviction from his community housing unit due to an alleged failure to maintain property standards.
“It was clear that Harvey required support to maintain his home due to his complex health conditions and mobility limitations,” Ms Jowle said.
“The Care finder program supported Harvey to apply for an aged care reassessment, where he was approved for a high priority aged care package.
“Services commenced and the previous eviction proceedings were withdrawn.
“With his complex health conditions, there is an almost certain risk that if Mr Coyne is evicted, he will not survive being homeless.”
Harvey says his rent is up to date.
“The house is good, the garden’s good, everything is – there is no reason to get me out of it,” Harvey said.
“I’ve been in hospital three times, mainly from stress because I don’t know where I’m going to go.
“I can’t go back on the street – and there’s no reason, the house is in good condition, better condition than when I first moved in.”
Denise believes Housing Choices Australia is being unfair and inconsiderate, particularly given that they scheduled a house inspection less than two weeks after Harvey’s nephew’s funeral, when he was again in hospital, and refused to reschedule.
“Where’s the compassion?” she asked.
Harvey intends to fight his eviction in Perth Magistrate’s court, supported Daydawn Advocacy Centre, with the case due to be heard Thursday.
On the day of his court case, Harvey is again due to be hospitalised.
However Housing Choices intends to pursue the eviction and told one of his advocates that they should advise the hospital social worker of Harvey’s impending homelessness.
Advocare says homelessness is a growing problem in WA and older people are particularly at risk.
“Advocare receives referrals nearly every day for older people who are homeless or facing imminent homelessness due to rising rents or insecure accommodation,” Ms Jowle said.
“We have supported a number of clients to move into residential aged care prematurely because it was the only option available for a roof over their heads.
“Many of these clients are people who would never have thought they would be facing homelessness in their latter years but there they were, more needs to be done.”
