# Public tenants fear eviction from private homes > Victorian residents displaced by public housing demolitions face insecurity in temporary private rentals as landlords seek to sell. - Title: Public tenants fear eviction from private homes · the Guardian - Summary: Victorian residents displaced by public housing demolitions face insecurity in temporary private rentals as landlords seek to sell. Public housing tenants in… - Keywords: gail innes, laura innes, victoria, public housing, headleasing, eviction, homes victoria, port melbourne, albert park, housing crisis, news, politics - Source: the Guardian — https://theguardian.com/australia-news/2026/oct/21/public-tenants-in-private-homes-fear-eviction-subsidised-housing-australia-ntwnfb - Published: 2026-10-20T14:00:36+00:00 - Read time: 2 min - Topics: gail innes, laura innes, victoria, public housing, headleasing, eviction, homes victoria, port melbourne, albert park, housing crisis, news, politics ## Displaced by demolition Gail and Laura Innes were forced into private rental housing after their Port Melbourne public housing estate was demolished in two thousand twenty-two to make way for replacement. ## How headleasing works The Victorian government pays market rent to private owners and on-leases properties to public tenants at subsidised rates. In the Inneses' Albert Park home, the difference is four thousand dollars a month. ## Court victory, then another notice In August, the Victorian civil and administrative tribunal ruled the eviction notice invalid. Days later, a new notice was issued ordering them to vacate by twenty-five November, three days before the Victorian election. ## Gail's distress Gail, a disability pensioner in her seventies, describes feeling insecure and anxious. She says she feels bullied and like a fourth-grade citizen. > I feel like a fourth-grade citizen. ## Wider concerns emerge The Inneses' case prompted a meeting between Homes Victoria executives and community legal centres. Central concern: tenants issued eviction notices may be pushed to the bottom of public housing waiting lists. ## Large-scale housing redevelopment Victoria is demolishing forty decades-old public housing towers to replace them with social and community housing built in partnership with private enterprise. ## Landlord's financial pressure During the tribunal hearing, one property co-owner told the tribunal the home needed to be sold urgently to meet financial obligations. The other co-owner has an interest in three other properties. > The duress we're under … we absolutely need to sell the property in order to meet our financial obligations. ## Government absent from hearing Homes Victoria did not attend the tribunal hearing despite previously telling the Inneses' lawyers a representative would be there. The barrister noted this left a gap in evidence about alternatives and timelines. ## Ombudsman declines investigation The Victorian ombudsman declined to investigate the Inneses' complaint against Homes Victoria. The department said suitable options remain limited due to housing availability, location requirements and difficulties securing landlords willing to enter headlease arrangements. ## Possible return to Port Melbourne The department confirmed the pair could return to their previous Port Melbourne estate, Barak Beacon, which Homes Victoria says should be completed by the end of the year. They continue waiting in Albert Park. ## Uncertainty continues Laura Innes says the situation is heartbreaking and infuriating. The family remains in limbo, hoping for news of permanent housing before their eviction deadline arrives. > It's heartbreaking. And infuriating at the same time. ## Key takeaway Public housing tenants in Victoria placed in private rentals through headleasing arrangements face eviction as landlords sell properties, with limited government support and long waits for permanent housing.