Resident STORY Helena calls St Albans home.
Helena waited for more than 10 years for public or community housing to become available and moved into Housing Choices’ St Albans property with her teenage children, aged 17 and 18 in 2021. Previously the family lived in private rental housing and had no say about the configuration of rooms or how they could use the space. Helena decided to divide the warehouse type space into two larger bedrooms (for the kids) and a smaller bedroom for herself, leaving a spacious combined family living area that opens to a large timber deck with built in seating. Having always lived in houses on suburban blocks, Helena was a bit hesitant about the transition to apartment living but her fears were allayed after her first on-site visit: “When I saw the huge balcony and deck – I thought this is perfect.” Helena’s relieved at the prospect of being in community housing where her rent will be considerably less. “This place will help me get ahead – it will take so much stress off. I can go back to school and get another qualification so I can make a career change – I want to work in community services.”
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