Trudy's story: Finding stability in long-term community housing

Trudy had been living in her rental home for 8 years when it was unexpectedly sold. She was given 3 months to find a new place to live.  

As a stay-at-home mother, Trudy struggled to find somewhere affordable and stable for her and her daughter Ella to live.  

“I had to take action really quick because we were looking at becoming homeless.” 

Trudy reached out to community housing organisation YWCA for support. Together, they were able to find a new home before the 3-month deadline was up.  

The new home is close to public transport, shops, and most importantly it is nearby Trudy’s existing support network including Ella’s playgroups.  

In community housing, residents can stay in their home until they choose to leave. Unlike private rental housing, residents can’t be asked to move on when housing is sold, or the owners wish to move in.  

Having secure, long-term housing has made a big difference for Trudy and Ella.  

“I just felt that weight of the world lifting off my shoulders.” 

It has meant that Trudy can focus on the things that are most important to her.  

“I have the space and the time to become a foster carer, which is something that I have wanted to do for a really long time.”

Social housing is an umbrella term that includes both public housing and community housing.  

Social housing refers to low-cost rental housing available to people on low incomes, or who face other barriers to securing suitable housing. 

Public housing is housing owned and managed by Homes Victoria on behalf of the state government. 

Community housing is managed by not-for-profit community housing organisations.