After a lifetime in the private market Ray found himself unable to afford to keep up with rental prices when he had a workplace accident 10 years ago and had to stop working. “Most of my life I was boiler making or in welding … I was never without a job. Then I discovered maintenance and handyman work and the first four or five years I loved it. I worked my way up to middle management in maintenance and that’s where I stayed until I had to retire,” he said. “I was happy as Larry working but once I stopped and the financial freedom was gone I had to make a lot of arrangements and adjustments. The first two or three years were pretty horrible. “I do still have pains but I’ve accepted it and learnt to live with them. It’s not debilitating, so I get by. I just take things slower. “Situations in life change and especially after 40 it’s hard to start all over again, and here I am.” Recently Ray joined the Victorian Housing Choices Resident Advisory Committee where he has enjoyed meeting fellow residents. He said he hoped to use the meetings to develop ideas that would foster community within his building and other Housing Choices communities. “I have some lovely neighbours,” he said. “Hopefully I can payback some of the gratitude I feel for this place.”
Ray’s city home is for life
Housing Choices resident Ray’s light-filled apartment overlooks the Queen Victoria Market across the road. Inside the one-bedroom dwelling Ray displays his eclectic mix of musical instruments and homemade furniture. His three Canaries – Chuckle, Bonny and Fantom – are housed either side of a clock Ray has created from a battery and numbers he picked up online. Hanging beside the entry door are Ray’s “house rules”. “I got into some arguments with friends about politics... So now we don’t talk about these things unless you have
the cupboard. It’s close to the city, there’s lots of public transport options and it has this balcony - that is one of my favourite things about this apartment. “I really like that I’ve been able to make this place into what I want. I can cook and watch TV at the same time in the kitchen and living room. Having a home is a person’s biggest security in life … it gives you the opportunity to do all of these things as you like and as you need.” Eighteen months ago, Ray’s life looked different. He was caring for his aging mum in her two- bedroom Carlton home, where he’s resided for the past seven years. “Mum needed the care, so the situation suited me and her. She’s still aware – she can speak and ask for what she wants, and she still does a lot of things for herself that are not essential. But she does need help,” he said. “Now my sister has taken over the post.”
a degree in the topic.” Before moving into his new home, Ray said he
didn’t envision himself living in the city but after viewing the apartment he jumped at the chance. “I love the high ceilings,”
the 59-year-old said. “The bathroom is very
roomy … and the bedroom has plenty of room, even in
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