Joan’s story – the benefits of good housing for older people

Joan was born in the Moreland Hospital and grew up in Melbourne.  Due to abuse by her father, she left home as a young child and spent some time in a children’s home and in the foster care system.  As an adult she worked as an enrolled nurse for many years, and raised her two sons as a single mother after separating from her husband. She provided a stable work and home environment in private rental for her family for many years, however, as a low-paid worker she had minimal savings or superannuation.

When she retired from work at 65 years of age, Joan found herself struggling to cope with the rent and bills when faced with being reliant on the age pension as her main form of income. Things became more critical when her savings and meagre superannuation dried up. Joan became very fearful of the consequences of losing her rental home by eviction or rent rises that would ‘tip her over the edge’ of affordability. Joan became afraid to ask for repairs from her landlord and put up with a hot water service that broke down continually. She got used to having cold showers and boiling the kettle to do the dishes. Then, out of the blue the landlord doubled her rent in one hit. Joan was left with less than $40 a fortnight to live on after the rent and bills.

Fortunately a friend told Joan about Home at Last and encouraged her to seek some help. Within three months of interviews, filling in applications and obtaining medical support information, Joan’s life was transformed when she moved into a brand new social housing unit. She fell in love with her new home that is Joan’s ‘for life’, affordable and designed with no steps, a walk-in-shower and open plan living room and kitchen. Her rent is capped at 30% of her income, and she has friends and neighbours close by.

Joan’s doctor was very impressed too. She has since lost weight, given up smoking and no longer needs medication to control her diabetes.  Joan is now 75 years old and finds support and social connection through her church and neighbours, as well as being a long-term member of HAAG where she tells her story to people so that they can get help also.

Joan Lansbury appeared recently on the front page of The Age newspaper. Her story was also told in a two page feature article in the same edition. What was newsworthy about Joan was that she was presented as ‘the new face of homelessness’ as she seemed to be typical of many people, particularly women, in the community who have had ‘normal’ lives consisting of work and family, no history of mental illness or other factors that often contribute to being marginalised in society. Joan could be your mum, sister, aunty or the friendly neighbour in your street.

The key message here is that good quality, affordable housing has a profound impact on the health and well-being of older people. They go on to live happy, fulfilling lives, engaged in their community in a way that we all deserve to enjoy.