When Heather’s rental went up $100 per week, she simply couldn’t afford to stay.
Despite having worked hard all her life, Heather found herself facing homelessness.
“I’m on the pension. I tried to find another rental property, but prices have sky-rocketed,” she explains.
Even more distressing was the response she got when she went to another organisation for help.
“They basically said ‘We can’t help you. Come back when your lease has run out and you’re actually homeless.’ I was ready to give up.”
Heather feared that she was going to have to live in her car.
“I’ve got a tertiary education. People think if you’re an educated woman you shouldn’t be in this situation.”
In November, Heather got a message from UnitingSA that changed everything.
“I just stared at the screen. I couldn’t believe it. I saw it. I read it again. I had to ring straight away and know it was real.”
Heather had been offered affordable community housing at Uniting on Devonport.
Soon after, she came with her sister to look at the property in Prospect.
Heather knew immediately that she had found her new home.
Heather in her new home at Uniting on Devonport
“My sister opened the door and was very emotional and excited for me because she knew how long I had waited for this opportunity to have a safe, secure place I can call my home.”
Heather has furnished her place with “street bounty” and second-hand furniture.
“Bunnings is my new favourite place to go,” she says with a smile.
Heather is ready for the next chapter in her life.
“I used to have an affirmation stuck on my fridge. It said: ‘It’s not so much what happens to you but how you handle it.’”
And Heather is handling life – with all its challenges – with grace and determination.
“I’m full of gratitude,” she says.