"We have to fight together"

A solo parent, separated from her husband, has been living in her one bedroom flat for the past year. She has been on the waiting list for a state house for two and a half years. She has complained of overcrowding to the Council but with no result. She had to spend $20 in getting rid of fleas infesting the flats and had to buy new mattresses. The Council refused to help her with the cost in both cases. When asked about a Tenants Committee she said "We've tried calling the Council ourselves. I even spoke to the Mayor. We have no choice but to fight together".