It has been a di cult and heartbreaking year for Raymond, who not only lost all his possessions in a fire that destroyed his home, but also spent many months recovering from the burns he endured. After the fire, Raymond spent two weeks in a coma before living in hospital for several months and working with doctors and physiotherapists on his road to recovery. In May 2020, Raymond moved to his new Housing Choices home. “Once they got me on my feet at the physio, they were all clapping, they couldn’t believe it. I was that dizzy I had to sit down again. But they kept working on me and within probably a week, I was walking. They couldn’t believe it; I was walking laps of the ward,” says Raymond. Raymond grew up supported by another housing provider in Campbelltown, before moving to another public housing property in Klemzig. In 2017, Housing Choices took over the management of Raymond’s tenancy. “All the other housing provider did was come around once a year and that’s about it, no support. With Housing Choices, you just have to ring and say, ‘I need this or that.’” “Housing Choices give me more support. Like Lincoln, he rings up and comes whenever. They’ve helped me get approved for NDIS, I’ve got social workers. I had none of that years ago,” he continues. After Raymond was discharged from hospital, he moved into his new property in Campbelltown (where he grew up). Raymond’s new home is better suited to his needs than his previous Klemzig housing.
“The other place (Klemzig) got out of hand…it just got that messy. This one, with one-bedroom and the lounge is perfect, a lot better. And I’m back in my old area and I’ve got a lot of friends around here,” Raymond says. Raymond’s new home is geographically closer to his friends, but also his support services are more accessible. This has allowed him to create new social connections and opportunities.
“Everything is here. Close to the shops, close to the doctors, bus stops, everything,” he says.
“I’m meeting more people again, new ones. And the Salvation Army has a shop across the road, I’ve been friends with them for a few years now, and I’m planning to do volunteer work there,” continues Raymond. Housing Choices and the local church provided Raymond with some furniture to help him get back on his feet after the fire, and he is eager to continue surrounding himself with “good people” and strengthening the connections he has formed in his local community.
“I want to thank the people that helped me, Housing Choices, the fireys, everyone,” says Raymond.
Raymond loves AFL and is a passionate supporter of Port Adelaide, he also loves a variety of music ranging from the 1950s to now.
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Housing Choices Australia | Annual Report 2019-20
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