Zora raised her son as a single mum. It was always a battle to make ends meet with a limited income and they couldn’t afford much. When her son became an adult, he helped with rent and expenses which made life was more comfortable for a while. Then he moved out to start his own family and she just couldn’t afford to pay the rent on her own.
Panic set in, not knowing where she would go. Like many people in this situation, she was ashamed and didn’t want anyone to know about her housing crisis. This took a huge toll on her mental health and wellbeing.
Zora was later offered a WPI home in Melbourne’s inner west. When she moved in it was an enormous relief. “When I saw the apartment it felt like it was my own. Not living with the fear of losing my home changed my life completely.”
Due to issues related to health and proximity to work and family, Zora started to her studio apartment difficult and it was affecting her mental health. It took some time, but when there was an opportunity, Zora was able relocate to a new 1-bedroom apartment at Local: Kensington, where WPI is managing 22 social and affordable apartments.
Zora absolutely loves it and is thriving. With fantastic amenity and an affordable rent, Zora said she knows how fortunate she is to be living there. Zora has been able to continue her work as an in-home carer for the elderly and this rewarding work gives her purpose. She is now able to spend more time with her son and granddaughters and she watches them play sport at weekends. She and her rescue dog, Bobby are completely at home now and love the atmosphere both in the surrounding suburb and in the building. “To think that I can afford to live somewhere as nice of this and knowing that WPI has looked after me has improved my mental and physical health. I have a beautiful balcony and I feel at peace in my beautiful bedroom with a window overlooking the courtyard. I couldn’t be happier or more grateful because I know not all older women are this lucky.”
