Housing as health care

[Cuddlebear]

@Appleblossom @Good morning how are you? Yes I’ve tried Anglicare but they are not a housing access point in my area and can’t help. The housing access points are totally overwhelmed and don’t have enough funding for the high demand too. Just got another rejection for private rental. Feeling so scared and my mental health is awful 😞 

[Appleblossom]

@Cuddlebear 🌸

So sorry that you are not able to find a service able to help. Have they put you on waiting lists? At least then a longer term accommodation might come up eventually. How long do you have in your current place?

I went for a walk by the river, with a group, this morning. It only sprinkled rain for a minute, so I am glad I persevered, was rugged up. It was green, beautiful and we saw a wallaby.

[Cuddlebear]

@Appleblossom  Going for a lakeside walk sounds like a really good way to start the day. It’s been raining in Melbourne but the sun has just come out. 

Yes I’m on public/community housing priority waiting list. I’ve been on it for years and actively am pushing the Department of Housing to provide a home. In Victoria the rental crisis is brutal. I’m supposed to be out of here by August 12. No empathy from the real estate or owner. 

[Appleblossom]

@Cuddlebear I have never liked real estate agents. My homelessness was as a child, so goes back a while, but there is something that turns my stomach about real estate.

it’s difficult that all we can do as a community is offer support. Are there any social workers that can advocate for housing for you? 

I am hoping in the long term, something becomes available. It could be better out of the private market, but even that is a mixed bag.

@Shaz51 @Till23 @Dimity 

[Cuddlebear]

@Appleblossom  I do have a social worker. I was on wait list for one since May but a couple weeks ago I finally started seeing her on a weekly basis. She’s trying to help with the housing crisis. I’m really glad I have her to be honest and she is a really decent person too. 

The thing is the private rental market has become so bad that low income earners like me have almost no chance of being given a rental property. I have to say real estate agents are awful and a big part of the problem. Very greedy and rate tenants as below them. I realise though if I’m ever lucky enough to finally get public housing that can be awful and have violent neighbours and that sort of stuff which I definately don’t need. Unfortunately I don’t have a choice. 😞 

[Appleblossom]

@Cuddlebear I am glad you have a social worker. Fingers crossed they can get something for you.

My homelessness was before I moved into public housing at 10 years old. It coloured my outlook to be overly grateful for our flat, but yes, it can be tricky, as we don’t want tar everyone living there as bad, but also the reality is I was beaten up due to where I lived not because I was bad. So reality checks are important. Still it was better than serious housing insecurity. Hmmm.

 I hope you find good people wherever you go.

[Till23]

Hi @Appleblossom @Cuddlebear thanks for tag

Almost 30 years ago when I lived in Melbourne I remember how difficult it was trying to secure a rental, you'd turn up for a look with 30 other applicants. My last place I only got because I'd been with the real estate agents for a few years. That was 30 years ago!

Plus then when you find a place you have to move, change your address everywhere etc - it's a huge stressor.

I am sorry this time is so difficult for you @Cuddlebear. I have wanted to respond to some of your posts, but have not been in correct headspae - so sorry about lack of interaction

[Cuddlebear]

@Till23 Good morning 🙂 How are you? Thank you for sharing your experience. It’s such a huge rental crisis. 😞 There’s a lot more people who need rentals and not enough rentals for them. It’s causing so much pain to those unable to secure one. 

[Till23]

How are you going with the house hunting and uncertaintly @Cuddlebear. I think housing insecurity s difficult for everyone but particular those with other health problems including MH problems. I feel for you with a couple of major physical health problems - sight, hearing and foot you need certain requirements for your housing, plus your assistance dog and we haven't even mentioned MH issues.

I feel terrible when I think about vulnerable people being made even more vunerable. I knwo that's not helping you, but to know that someone has at least recognition of the challenges you are facing.