Client Stories
Clients of our services share stories about their challenges and how HAAG’s services were able to help them in their situation
What friends are for
At 68 years old Pushpa received a Notice To Vacate order on her 1-bedroom rental property which she was paying $1400 per month, which was more than her aged pension. Pushpa said:“My husband and I never had enough money to buy our own home, we always rented. The rent did not seem to be too… …
Posted in: Housing Support
Burning to move
In March 2024, 84-year-old Daryl attended Cobram Community House alongside his daughter and son-in-law, seeking advice regarding his housing. Daryl had been privately renting a farmhouse for the past 25 years. However, he was approached by the landlord who informed him that the property has been sold to the landlord’s grandson and Daryl would need… …
Posted in: Climate, Moveable Units
From harassment to a happy home
Peter* was living in a caravan park in North Central Victoria. Neal*, the caravan park manager, had initiated a dispute when he discovered Peter, who was estranged from his family, didn’t have a will. Neal was worried about the difficult position the park would be in if a caravan owner died intestate – but rather… …
Posted in: Caravan Parks, Retirement Housing, North Central Victoria, Retirement Housing Advice Service
Assisting a bereaved man to access aged care and housing
Fred*, a 69 year old man, was referred to us from a homeless service as he had fallen into serious rent arrears and was at risk of becoming homeless. Fred had spent all his superannuation on palliative care and other medical expenses for his wife, and when she died he could no longer afford the… …
Posted in: Aged care, Care Finder
Bev’s backyard
Bev, a 59-year-old woman, had been living in a cottage in Murrindindi but had to move out due to the property being sold. Our regional support worker met Bev at the local library to complete a housing application. Due to Bev’s chronic medical conditions, she required an accessible bathroom, so the worker assisted Bev with… …
Posted in: Housing Support, North Central Victoria
Back at home in river country
Kayleen, a 55-year-old Yorta Yorta Aboriginal woman, was given HAAG’s number by a friend to talk about her housing needs. Kayleen had been residing in NSW for the past 40 years. When she lost her mother, it left her feeling isolated from her family and community. Kayleen felt she needed to return to her traditional… …
Posted in: Aboriginal Communities, North Central Victoria
Property investors try to evict elderly couple
Arthur*, aged in his 90’s, suffered a heart attack after receiving a rent increase notice. He and his partner had been living in the same rental property for 30 years, where the rent was increased by only small amounts every few years. After the property was sold, the new owner increased the rent to an… …
Posted in: Care Finder, Tenancy
Hulya’s happy new home
Hulya, 59, was one of 13 clients we securely housed in a brand new housing project in Pascoe Vale. Hulya approached HAAG in March 2023. She was homeless, couch surfing with her adult children, but was so desperate to get her own place, where she could host her children and seven grandchildren, eat her traditional… …
Posted in: Multicultural & Multifaith Communities, Community Housing, Brokerage support, Housing Support
Finding care after a fracture
Judi, a woman in her mid-70s, was referred to care finder by a Community Mental Health nurse for urgent housing instability, financial hardship and declining mental health. Previously managing private rental cost of $490 per week through part-time work as a mental health nurse, Judi became unable to work following a severe injury involving a… …
Posted in: Brokerage support, Care Finder, Housing Support
Homes for older people at risk of homelessness in the Goulburn Valley
In 2021, Housing for the Aged Action Group extended its housing information service for older people to the Goulburn Valley region of North Central Victoria, providing information and advice on housing options and practical support for older people at risk of homelessness. Despite floods, COVID-19, heatwaves and fires, a small team of local women have… …
Posted in: Videos, Videos, Community Education, North Central Victoria
A light at the end of the tunnel
Joanna, 61, has Rheumatoid Arthritis as well as Carpal Tunnel syndrome. She was due to have knee and hip replacements, but she told us “I am not sure how long and painful the recovery will be after a hip or knee replacement. I am not in secure housing to recover, so I have no option… …
Posted in: Multicultural & Multifaith Communities, Public Housing, Care Finder, Housing Support
Homeless not hopeless
Sue is 74 years old and became homeless when her daughter asked her to leave her property in NSW. She moved to Victoria to stay with a friend, who helped her to connect with the local crisis homelessness service, Beyond Housing. She was referred into our program by Beyond Housing Seymour. In late July, case… …
Posted in: Brokerage support, Care Finder, Housing Support, Victoria