The Flying Bat
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Two real stories of hidden homelessness in Australia
Only 6% of people experiencing homelessness in Australia are visibly homeless. Even if we don’t see it, homelessness is all around us. Read two real stories of hidden homelessness.
www.missionaustralia.com.au
John (75) enjoyed a relatively comfortable and stable life, until soaring interest rates rattled his world.
“The lady who owned the house, just couldn’t keep up the payments anymore,” says John.
His landlord’s inability to keep up with rising payments pushed John to the brink of homelessness. He was given six weeks to find a new home.
The competitive rental market did not look kindly on John’s application that listed ‘pension’ as his main source of income.
“I couldn’t afford to rent anywhere. I was getting desperate. There was nothing out there...”
Facing a bleak and uncertain future, John found himself contemplating the unthinkable — living in his car.
For four months, John was homeless, living in his car. It was unseen but it was a real battle of homelessness for the 75-year-old.
John connected with a Mission Australia caseworker and moved into Ebbs House on Sydney’s Northern Beaches, one of our crisis accommodation facilities for older Australians. He continues to access our support services to help him on his journey towards independence.
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Natalie’s story: A marriage breakdown uprooted Natalie’s life
Natalie's life took a heart-wrenching turn when her marriage ended, triggering mental health challenges that shook her foundation. Her situation affected her ability to maintain her long-term job.
Every day felt like an uphill battle as Natalie was left to care for two young children. The comfort of home and marriage had vanished, and the weight of uncertainty bore heavily on her shoulders.
“In the beginning, all I was doing was couch surfing and staying with friends.”
Not wanting to ‘burden them’, Natalie remembers packing up her things every couple of days to look for somewhere new to stay.
Without intervention, it was hard to see the end to Natalie’s experience of hidden homelessness.
“I would’ve been sleeping on a bus shelter,” says Natalie.
Faced with the daunting prospect of providing for her young children alone, she was unsure where to turn for help. The emotional toll of her circumstances was immense, yet even in the difficult circumstances she faced, Natalie found strength and resilience to overcome the darkest of times.
"I’m going to start studying community services...I want to help people like me - Natalie."
Our team supported her to find a safe place for her family. With immense gratitude, Natalie is on a new journey now to help others. Driven by her own experiences, Natalie is determined to use her knowledge to support individuals like herself.
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