A man living with an intellectual disability has no choice but to shower in his front yard while he waits for repairs to his bathroom.
Harold Kinross, 62, has been waiting for a new bathroom in his public housing townhouse, in Nailsworth, Adelaide, after termites were found in it last October.
Since workers pulled out the toilet, sink, shower and walls in his upstairs bathroom, nothing has been done.
Not only has the remedial work not started, the termite infestation remains.
The public housing tenant has lived in the same townhouse for 28 years.
Harold Kinross, 62, has been forced to shower in his front yard after waiting for repairs to his bathroom for four months
The portable shower has left Mr Kinross feeling humiliated and is worried neighbours will see him showering. He now showers about 5.30am so he is not embarrassed
South Housing’s band-aid solution was to install a portable shower – in his front yard.
Mr Kinross said his daily routine has changed dramatically since the termites were found.
‘I have to come out here about 5.30 in the morning because I get embarrassed neighbours might see me having a shower,’ Mr Kinross told 7News.
The long-term tenant said he feels humiliated and checks for anyone walking past before he turns on the water.
Mr Kinross said the portable shower leaks onto the footpath and the set-up is like being in a ‘gaol cell’.
The tenant said he has been an ideal tenant throughout his decades in the townhouse and deserves better.
‘It’s disgusting. Minister, do something about it. I vote you in to do your job,’ he said.
The upstairs bathroom of Mr Kinross’ public housing townhouse is riddled with termites, which are still there after being discovered months ago. Termites don’t just damage the structure of a house – they can also eat shoes, clothing and furniture
South human services minister Nat Cook said it was difficult to say when a replacement property would be available for Mr Kinross.
‘I understand how challenging it’s been for this tenant and his family,’ she said.
Choice says termites have the potential to cause ‘major structural and economic damage’ to dwellings.
Termites eat the inside of a structure and only leave a thin shell to protect themselves from the outside.
However, the hungry insects don’t stop at devouring structural material.
The termites can also eat furniture, paper, fabrics and clothing, footwear and soft plastics.
EXCLUSIVEREAD MORE: Billionaire family at the centre of Sydney’s asbestos nightmare break their silence
The billionaire Vitocco family (pictured) behind the asbestos scare sweeping Sydney has denied all responsibility and told Daily Mail they are being made scapegoats