Standing up for the right to a safe, secure home

Jack was used to living rough.  In his 50s, with an acquired brain injury and on a methadone treatment program, Jack had lived both in prison and on the streets before he finally secured rental housing. Jack told us that stable housing was essential for him to avoid returning to prison or continuing homelessness.

We helped Jack resist an application by his housing provider for a Notice to Vacate and Possession Order Application which would have seen him evicted, noting their responsibilities under the Charter of Human Rights and obligations under housing laws.  Jack had also experienced severe family violence and requested a priority transfer from the property on numerous occasions due to fear that the perpetrator knew where he lived. 

Through dogged advocacy, Jack was accepted onto the Housing Register as a priority transfer for a one-bedroom property.  During the course of the matter, Jack took on significant caring duties for his mother due to her declining mental capacity.  We then helped Jack to amend his Housing Register application to a two-bedroom property and we stuck by him until this new accommodation was secured from his housing provider, 18 months after we first became involved.

Jack wrote to us afterwards: "I appreciate, appreciate all your help and putting up with my tantrums and sticking by me. I’ve been so blessed and humbled by your support, kindness and understanding.  I’m not good at this shit, and please know that I’ve taken nothing you have done for me for granted."