From hardship to home

Believe Housing Australia tenant Dora knows the harsh reality that life can change in an instant.

“I never thought that my life would change so radically,” Dora said.

“Years ago, I was healthy, I was working, and I was very much feeling on top of the world. But things came up unexpectedly – I fell ill, I couldn’t work, my marriage broke down, some friendships ended, and after that, everything started falling down for me in my life, and I ended up with no place to live.”

Dora tried to find a private rental, with no luck.

“It was a shocking reality for me then, because I didn’t have any history of renting or any idea how difficult it would be to get a place in the private rental market.

“I was applying for different places with no luck. They all had long waiting lists, and preferred people who were employed or in a couple. I became more desperate, and my health was suffering.”

Having arrived in Australia as a refugee as a young woman, Dora was no stranger to the uncertainty of having to move unexpectedly.

“Moving houses has been a part of my life, and each time it is like starting my life all over again,” she said.

“This time though, I was living in a place that I thought was my home for the rest of my life and losing that was a really heavy wave.”

Dora needed help to find a place to live, but out of fear and embarrassment over her situation, she felt she could not ask for it.

“I was used to being independent, and I was trying to keep the little bit of dignity I thought I had, so I wouldn’t ask for help,” Dora said.

The turning point: finding a house

In her career as a social worker, Dora was aware of Believe Housing Australia and bravely reached out for support in finding a property in the social and affordable housing system.

With their help, Dora was offered a Believe Housing Australia property, which she said was the catalyst for improving her health and wellbeing.

“When I was given the keys to my unit, I immediately had a sense of relief,” she said.

“I couldn’t believe it. I felt secure.

“From that minute, I recovered not only that part of my dignity that I thought I had lost, but I also had a chance to focus on recovering my health.

“Housing was a big part of feeling that way, because having a place to live is so basic and so important.”

Dora said her experience had reaffirmed to her that there was no set “type” of person who accessed social and community housing properties – rather, rising rents, cost-of-living pressures, and unexpected life events had all had an impact on different demographics of society.

“Life is so unpredictable that even people who were once considered safe or lived comfortably have found themselves struggling to afford housing,” Dora said.

“I have neighbours who ran successful businesses or are ex-professionals, and through no fault of their own, life changed for them too.”

Unfortunately, situations like Dora’s are not uncommon.

Women over the age of 55 are the fastest growing cohort of homelessness in Australia, and Believe Housing Australia is investing in social and affordable housing developments specifically to help with this growing crisis.

New beginnings

It has been six years since Dora became a Believe Housing Australia tenant.

Much like the soil giving plants a base to bloom in her garden, having a stable house gave her the foundation to focus on her physical and emotional health.

“My experience has given me the tools to be more independent, and I think I am stronger,” she said.

“I feel like a woman in charge of my own life, who is being acknowledged and heard, but also loved by others as well, both with my neighbours and the [Believe Housing Australia] team.”

Dora has also found a new community in her neighbours, who catch up every week to chat, share information, or tend to their shared garden.

“I see my neighbours like my family – it is so important to have a community of people we can lean on and do things with.”

Dora said her passion for the community and being a tenant in social housing encouraged her to put her name forward to join Believe Housing Australia’s new Tenant Advisory Group (TAG).

The TAG was established as a way for tenants to contribute to the design and delivery of Believe Housing Australia’s services and housing to better reflect the needs of their community.

Dora said positive thinking and support could transform lives.

“I believe in the power of being positive,” Dora said.

“There are bad times, and life can take you there in seconds. Life changes, and if we are not prepared to adjust and collaborate with others, it’s a lot easier to give up.

“It is amazing to see how people can transform their lives when they feel supported and respected.”