Trish’s journey to stability

Published: 

4 December 2024 11:47AM

At 51, Trish had a home she loved. But within weeks, a relationship breakdown and a tight rental market meant she was living in a tent in a friend’s backyard.

'It’s something you never think is going to happen to you, and then it does. I’ve always worked and had a nice home, and then all of a sudden – bam! – it was all taken away,' Trish recalls. In what seemed like the blink of an eye, she was living in a tent in a friend’s backyard, with her 2 chihuahuas.

For 3 months, Trish and her pets called the tent home while she searched for a rental property. But the realities of the market hit hard.

'There was just nothing around. Eventually, I had to give them up because it was just too hard – no-one wanted to take me with animals,' she says. 'It was a nightmare.'

Trish spent the next 2 years in and out of share accommodation trying to find a safe and secure place to call home. But with every step forward, she felt like she was met with yet another obstacle.

'The little I did have was dwindling to the point where in the end, all I had was the clothes on my back,' Trish says. 'All you want is stability and peace, and no matter which way you turn, you’re faced with brick walls. It’s bloody tough.'

The ongoing instability and uncertainty eventually took a heavy toll on Trish, both physically and mentally. Unable to maintain stable employment, she found herself overwhelmed by the pressure.

'I couldn’t work because I wasn’t stable enough to hold down a job,' she explains. 'I ended up booking myself into a mental health unit because I’d just had enough.'

It was during this low point that Trish discovered the Housing Older Women's Support Service (HOWSS), a program run by Footprints Community and funded by the Queensland Government. The service was a lifeline for Trish, helping her secure a social housing unit and offering her the support she needed to move in and regain her footing.

'All I did for the first week was sleep, get up, and have a cup of tea,' Trish says. 'I relished the peace and tranquillity.'

For the first time in years, she had a safe and secure space to call her own.

Now, with the stability of a home and the support she needed, Trish has returned to work and is rebuilding her life. She’s quick to offer advice to anyone facing a similar situation.

'You’ve got to dust your boots off and get out there to try and make yourself a better life. You’ve got to have that warrior spirit,' she says. 'It was a big hill to climb, but I got there.'

While Trish’s journey has been filled with challenges, her determination and the support of services like HOWSS have led her to a place of stability and hope. Now, she’s looking forward to a future that is once again filled with possibility.

Housing Older Women’s Support Service

Housing Older Women’s Support Services (HOWSS) is a Specialised Housing and Support Hub for Older Women funded by the Department of Housing.

HOWSS offers free, confidential support in person and over the phone to Queensland-based women over the age of 50 who are experiencing or at risk of homelessness.

If you or someone you know needs housing help

Call 13 QGOV (13 74 68) or contact your local Housing Service Centre.

If you are experiencing or are at risk of homelessness, contact the Homeless Hotline for free on 1800 474 753 (24 hours a day, 7 days a week).

Find out more about housing help and support.