“When you are attending an inspection with 30+ other applicants you have no hope”
Alicia faced many challenges whilst living in private rental. Despite her former rental’s proximity to her workplace, the property had numerous problems. “The walls had mould, the windows wouldn’t close properly, and there was a hole in the ceiling patched with cardboard,” she recalls. The lack of transparency and stability in her lease added to her stress. After six years, she was informed the property would need to be renovated to meet the RTA’s new minimum living standards, and as a result her lease wouldn’t be renewed.
As a single part-time worker with a disability, Alicia found it almost impossible to secure a new rental. She inspected and applied for countless properties but often faced rejection. “Real estate agents look for the most secure applicants, usually couples with full-time jobs. As an autistic adult working part-time, I was never the first choice,” she explains. Her visible disability, requiring the use of a walking stick, often led to unconscious bias. With the fear of homelessness looming overhead, Alicia considered putting her belongings in storage and couch surfing with friends or even living in her car or a tent if necessary.
Just two weeks before she would have been made homeless, Alicia found a listing for a unit within her budget on realestate.com.au. This led her to BHC, and although she initially didn’t consider community housing, the prospect of a clean, private, and affordable unit gave her hope. When she was offered a BHC property, the relief was immense. “I had asked already for two extensions from my old real estate and was on absolute deadline,” she admits.
Now settled, Alicia describes a typical day involving work, medical appointments, playing music, and tending to her plants. Feeling safe and secure in her new home has significantly improved her mental health, providing a stable environment that helps her manage her autism and PTSD. “Having a secure, clean, and private place to live helps me regulate and prevent meltdowns,” she says.
Alicia’s stable living situation has enabled her to volunteer in community theatre again, a passion she had to abandon six years ago due to burnout. She now works casually in musical theatre and volunteers in the same field. Looking to the future, Alicia hopes to return to study. “I would love to return to writing, but I feel this may still be a while away,” she said.
In just a short time, Alicia’s journey with BHC has provided her with stability and security; positively impacting her health, employment, and community involvement.
“The unit is starting to look and feel like my home more and more,” Alicia said.
