Tenant Stories | Women's Property Initiatives

Val’s Story

Published on: 22 November 2022

Val’s Story “I was born in Carlton. I’m an inner-city person. I didn’t have any siblings so it was just me and my parents, and we were really close-knit. I cared for my parents in South Melbourne until they both passed away, and then I moved to country Victoria. I’d found myself in dire straits ... Read more

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Category: Tenant Stories
Amber’s Story

Published on: 01 July 2022

Amber once thought she was in a happy relationship. She and her partner moved back to Melbourne from interstate to be close to family after the birth of their daughter, Mia. But her partner’s behaviour changed drastically. He became violent towards her. He was controlling and prevented her from socialising with others. He destroyed her ... Read more

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Category: Tenant Stories
Zora’s Story

Published on: 01 July 2022

Zora, who raised her son as a single mum. It was always a battle to make ends meet with a limited income. When her son became an adult, he helped with the rent and expenses which made a huge difference. For a while, life was more comfortable, but when he moved out to start his own ... Read more

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Category: Tenant Stories
Jo’s Story

Published on: 30 June 2022

Before finding secure housing Jo slept on friends couches for 10 years. Her situation was grim. Jo is a talented artist, but her income was irregular and often low. She simply couldn’t afford secure housing of her own. She started house-sitting – minding peoples’ pets while they went on holiday and couch-surfing at friends’ ... Read more

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Category: Tenant Stories
Kym’s Story

Published on: 29 November 2020

In the 80’s Kym left a violent partner with her teenage daughter, Hayley. She was scared, but she bought a small house in Geelong and thought at least she would always have that. Unfortunately, she was manipulated by another partner, lost her house, and got into trouble, spending two years in jail. Her young daughter ... Read more

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Category: Tenant Stories
Kellie’s Story

Published on: 23 November 2020

Kellie was pregnant with Kai when she moved into her WPI home. Three years before she had moved to Gippsland with her then partner to get away from drugs. She’d lived with addiction for 10 years and had two children who weren’t living with her because she couldn’t provide a home or care for them. ... Read more

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Category: Tenant Stories
Marree’s Story

Published on: 26 October 2020

Some bad luck and some really bad decisions led to Marree spending time in prison. After her release, she was provided with transitional housing, worked as a cleaner, and reconnected with her daughters. She felt valuable and productive, but it was devastating to look for permanent housing and realise that she couldn’t afford a decent ... Read more

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Category: Tenant Stories
Marie’s Story

Published on: 12 October 2020

Some bad luck and some really bad decisions led to Marree spending time in prison. After her release, she was provided with transitional housing, worked as a cleaner, and reconnected with her daughters. She felt valuable and productive, but it was devastating to look for permanent housing and realise that she couldn’t afford a decent ... Read more

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Category: Tenant Stories
Rhonda’s Story

Published on: 28 September 2020

Rhonda rented for most of her adult life and it was a constant battle. She and her then-partner had terrible experiences living next to violent neighbours and then being forced to live way out of the city in the few properties they could afford. When they split up it became impossible to make ends meet ... Read more

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Category: Tenant Stories
Rebekah’s Story

Published on: 14 September 2020

Rebekah lives with her mum who is her carer. She has a severe medical condition that requires her to be close to the hospital where she is treated. They moved from Wodonga to be close to medical care and they had to give up a lot, including being close to family and friends. But finding ... Read more

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Category: Tenant Stories

Acknowledgement of Country