r/PublicHousingVictoria

I’m currently in transitional housing with my family, waiting for a 3-bedroom property, and I’m on the Victorian Housing Register with Priority Access.
I’m trying to understand what people have done that genuinely helped them get a long-term public/community housing offer sooner. When I call HousingVic, they can’t tell me where I am on the waiting list, so I don’t really know how close or far away we are.
I’m also being pressured to look for private rentals while we wait. We are looking, but I genuinely believe private rental is unaffordable for our family with our current income and expenses. It would leave us with a very tight budget, and realistically I don’t think we could sustain it.
I just want to make sure I’m not missing anything that could help my application.
For people who have actually received public/social housing in Victoria:
What did you do that helped move your application along?
Did your housing/support worker provide extra documentation that helped?
If you were in transitional housing, were you encouraged to try private rental while waiting?
Did applying for private rentals affect your Priority Access status?
Did you accept community housing as well as public housing, and did that make a difference?
How long were you on Priority Access before receiving an offer?
Is there anything you wish you had known or done differently?
I’d really appreciate hearing from people who have been through the Victorian system, especially anyone who was in transitional housing with children and was waiting for a 3-bedroom home.

Thank you

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My friend is in public housing and is the sole tenant on the lease.

She allowed her 18yo daughter to move in with her 2 years ago. During which time her daughter has also lived elsewhere for four months at one point and 2 months at another point. Her daughter does not pay rent or contribute to household expenses. 

Her daughter is physically and verbally abusive and my friend is nothing short of terrified of her. There is a police history with numerous house calls being made, though nothing in the last 6 months or so. We went to the police station today and the police said they can't do anything to get her out without further violence occurring. We were also told that there is an IVO option but once again, this will require evidence of specific violent events. She has taken out an IVO against her daughter previously which was not granted or enforced. I find this rather surprising as a knife was involved and the police had to physically force her daughter to the ground. (Though she was 17 at the time?) The police officer said this is a court matter and was of no help. 

Basically my friend is in a domestic abuse / violence situation and wants her daughter evicted. What are her rights? I plan on calling VCAT on her behalf in the morning. I don't know how much help they will be.

She really needs to get her daughter out as soon as possible. Any advice? 

I realise a mother being abused and victimised by her own daughter may seem a little odd. But unfortunately this is the situation she is faced with.

Thank you so much in advance.