Help Wilson, 45, Access Basic Disability Home Modifications Denied Since 2018
A man with disabilities has waited almost a decade for essential home modifications despite formal requests, complaints, and Federal Court action.
Campaign Story
Wilson Bagatcholon, 45, with disability on NDIS, who lives with his aging mother, Eunise, 72 and carer-advocate brother Willy. Since May 2018, Wilson’s younger brother has made multiple requests to the NSW Land and Housing Corporation (LAHC) regarding home modifications. As for Wilson, a safe and accessible home is not a luxury; it is a necessity. Diagnosed with a mental health disorder and with severe degenerative osteoarthritis, accessible living accommodation is critical to Wilson’s health and physical capacity.
Diagnosed:
In May 2018, a formal request for disability-related home modifications was submitted through the public housing landlord's complaint channel. Willy has made multiple attempts to seek support from LAHC before making a formal complaint. Almost a decade later, those modifications still have not been carried out. In the meantime, Wilson has been living in the backyard hut set out as a greenhouse living area without access to water, a functioning kitchen, or a wheelchair-accessible space. If Wilson needs to use the bathroom, he must climb 9 flights of stairs because LAHC has refused his request for home modifications.
The purpose of this campaign is to:
1. Raise funding to appoint a legal representative for Wilson
2. To investigate the constitutional and human rights violations of a person with disabilities
3. Home modifications, as Homes NSW refused to fund the application
4. Support public interest exposure to tackle corruption in the system
Willy Bagatcholon has been a human rights advocate for over 12 years. Legal Aid has refused to support the family and has been refused emergency discretionary funds from the offices of the attorneys general. See the attached Change.org petition for more details on this matter.
https://www.change.org/p/stop-excessive-water-charges-in-nsw-public-housing?utm_medium=custom_url&utm_source=share_petition&recruited_by_id=4b7c16d0-75c8-11e4-a3b3-b7acf8ed0ea2
Presently, NSW Land and Housing Corporation (LAHC), later operating as Homes NSW (HNSW) under the NSW Department of Communities and Justice (DCJ), has refused to carry out the requested home modifications. A complaint was made to the NSW Ombudsman and the Australian Human Rights Commission (AHRC) and was tentatively closed. In fact, the matter was tentatively closed because HNSW promised to conduct its own OT assessments. Yet, nothing has been done.
Wilson relies on his mother's support and carer to advocate on his behalf. The ongoing refusal to make their home accessible has left him living in conditions that are not adequate for his disability. Critically, HNSW has not provided a substantive reason for the refusal, despite repeated requests. The Federal Court of Australia ordered the respondent (HNSW) to submit its evidence by 15 April 2026. This order has not been complied with. On Monday, 4 May 2026, Willy (the applicant), on behalf of Wilson (the person with legal incapacity), filed an interlocutory application seeking leave to subpoena the respondent. The respondent's serial non-compliance dates to May 2018.
What Has Been Tried
Over the past several years, every avenue has been pursued:
• A formal home modification request (May 2018)
• Complaints with MP’s and housing authorities such as Stephen Bali, Hon. Rose Jackson, Senator Steele-John (the Green Party), Jenny Leong (the Green Party), MP Michelle Rowland, MP Mark Dreyfus, MP Mark Taylor and Hon. Kate Washington.
• Complaints to the NSW Ombudsman (2025)
• Complaints to the Australian Human Rights Commission (AHRC), 17 November 2025, participation in conciliation processes
• Federal Court proceedings, now active
Call to Action
Please:
• Donate if you are able
• Share Wilson’s story
• Stand with people with disabilities facing systemic barriers. Wilson has waited long enough.