An affordable housing provider for those at risk of being homeless has apologised to residents after they complained about their catered lunch of two "stale", buttered bread rolls.
Rob Arnol lives at Bilton Lodge, an accommodation facility run by not-for-profit group Anglicare in Hobart's northern suburbs, providing long-term housing for people who are homeless or at risk of homelessness.
Rent and board at the facility are calculated at 85 per cent of its residents' income, which covers three meals a day, electricity, weekly linen service for sheets and towels, and some recreational activities.
Over the weekend, Mr Arnol voiced his long-held frustrations over the food supplied by the lodge.
On Saturday, residents were given two buttered bread rolls for lunch, with "nothing else offered to go with it".
"This is what Anglicare call suitable adult meals," he tweeted, saying it was "compulsory to have to pay for [along] with your rent, leaving very little for our own needs."
Mr Arnol told the ABC that Anglicare charged him about $135 a week for board — part of which covers food costs — and he also pays rent too, which combined makes up 85 per cent of his income.
The tweet prompted outrage and offers of meals from followers, as well as offers to ring Anglicare and complain.
Anglicare said pizzas were ordered and made available to Lodge residents mid-afternoon on Saturday, and the evening meal of beef lasagne was served on time that night.
Mr Arnol told the ABC that while the rolls were the worst meal he had received at the lodge, residents such as himself were not happy with the food supplied by Anglicare more generally.
"Any time we have the schnitzels, they're oven-baked … so they're as dry as anything. It's like having a piece of leather, " he said.
"All the meat is always tough as anything, the vegetables are just mush, not worthwhile eating."
"It's bland and almost impossible to eat."
A typical breakfast was a choice between cereal and toast with "basic spreads", while lunch was usually a salad roll.
Mr Arnol said quantity was "always a little bit of the low side" and, sometimes, he missed out on food because staff didn't prepare enough to feed everyone.
He usually only eats three to four of the supplied meals a week, the rest of the time subsisting on coffee and relying on family for a feed every now and then.
If he wasn't having to pay for the supplied food, he said, he would be able to eat food he wanted at the time he wanted, and "have more control" over his life.
He said that, since complaining and meeting with management, the quality of dinners had improved.
Gary Brooks also lives at the lodge, and said residents shouldn't have to pay for food they're not eating.
"I don't eat. They call me 'stranger' when I go down to the kitchen," he said.
"If you don't eat, you shouldn't have to pay for it."
He said that, for the price he pays for food at the lodge, he'd be better off having the money for himself to buy a counter meal most nights.
"I just think that they could put on the lease: 'Tick if you want to get your food. If not, you've got that extra money for yourself'."
He said regimented serving times were also inconvenient for those who work.
'Food has to be nutritious'
Principal solicitor at the Tenants Union of Tasmania Ben Bartl said he was concerned about reports residents weren't getting adequate food.
"We strongly believe that, if people are having to pay 85 per cent of their income for food and board, that the food has to be nutritious," he said.
He said that was especially important given residents were financially and socially disadvantaged.
"These people are living on the poverty line, most of their money is being spent keeping a roof over their head and getting three meals a day," he said.
Anglicare has apologised for failing to deliver a suitable lunch service over the weekend.
"On Saturday, a lunch meal of roast meat rolls was not served to all Bilton Lodge residents."
The organisation has arranged for a review of food services, with guidance from a "qualified and experienced chef".
"We are working to ensure better support for relief staff called to work in an unfamiliar setting."
Mr Arnol and Mr Brooks wanted to stress they were appreciative they had a roof over their heads and enjoyed living at Bilton Lodge.
"You've got a room, your own ensuite and a heat pump … I've got no problem with the staff, they're fantastic people," Mr Brooks said.
After experiencing homelessness, it was everything to them, but they wanted more choice when it came to feeding themselves.
