When Jennifer, 69, arrived at Centacare’s Mercy House, she was on the brink of homelessness. She needed a safe place to recover from trauma and support to regain stability.
Mercy House is a short-term residence for women experiencing homelessness in Beaudesert. The house and program are led by Centacare’s Nicola Kenderdine, as part of the organisation’s Homeless Accommodation and Housing Support services.
Her teams walk alongside people who are experiencing homelessness, or who are at risk of homelessness, to identify immediate supports and pathways to safe, long-term accommodation. This can include support to build rental history, find part-time employment or establish financial independence.
Once Jennifer was settled at Mercy House, the team guided her to strengthen her independence. She began to consider what her life could look like beyond short-term accommodation and started mapping out a plan.
“Jennifer had a goal to move into her own unit, connect with her community and regain her mobility and independence,” said Nicola.
“Our teams can provide support and advocacy with government agencies to secure loans, subsidies and funding to help with the costs of moving and establishing a residence. In this case, we supported Jennifer to connect with My Aged Care so she could access home care funding.”
Jennifer has now moved into her own unit at a nearby retirement village, a calm and welcoming environment where she can live comfortably and reconnect with her community. The housing team continue to walk alongside her, coordinating wraparound support to help her settle in with confidence.
A highlight of Jennifer’s journey has been receiving her new mobility scooter, a practical yet deeply meaningful milestone. Having the ability to visit the shops, grab her morning coffee and enjoy her preferred routines, or simply move about on her own, has brought a renewed sense of freedom.
Are you experiencing challenges with your current tenancy or living arrangements?
If you are experiencing homelessness, our Housing Support and Homeless Accommodation services can help you overcome the barriers you are facing in finding permanent, safe accommodation. Our service operates across the Scenic Rim region, and we encourage you to get in touch even if you are unsure about your eligibility or the type of support you may need.
Due to the limited number of places, there is often a waitlist for this accommodation. When places are available, women can access this housing for up to six months.