How did you come to experience homelessness?
Soon after I gave birth to my son we moved into a high-rise apartment block in Fitzroy, but it wasn’t a good environment for him and I was really sick.
My mum was constantly yelling at my son, it was better for him to be in someone else’s care, so I voluntarily went to DHHS and put him in care.
I gave the apartment back to the Ministry of Housing and moved in with my mum. Then mum kicked me out and I have been homeless ever since and in and out of jail.
How did you come into contact with the Daily Support Team?
Daniel found me when I was homeless - I was living in the city. At first, I wouldn’t have a bar of him, I didn’t want him to help. I was angry and abusive to him, but he persevered and that was a really good thing for me, he didn’t hold a grudge.
How did the team help you?
Daniel helped me with temporary accommodation, food vouchers, did searches for other types of accommodation. He found places for me to go for free showers and he eventually found me my flat. He explored all avenues of housing for me and put me on the transitional housing waiting list, and something became available in September this year.
I was actually in jail at the time and I was lucky they held the property for me while I went to court, and I got released and I’ve been here ever since.
What is it like having your own place?
I’m loving it. I can shower daily, I can change my clothes, wash my clothes, I can use the toilet. When I was homeless I didn’t even have bathroom facilities when food outlets were closed and I had to go down laneways sometimes.
It’s warmer, I have a roof over my head, I’m not going to get wet overnight or have to try to find a dry place at night to sleep.