When Thangjam, his wife Kristine, and their newborn son Jacob were offered a home with Housing Choices Australia, it came at a time when their family needed stability most.
Thangjam and his family are a proud multicultural household living in Melbourne. Before moving into their new home in Swift Walk, Thangjam and Kristine had spent years in shared housing, moving between suburbs and managing arrangements that became increasingly difficult after the arrival of their baby. With limited income and a growing family, they made the decision early to apply for social housing through the Victorian Housing Register, knowing that stable, long-term housing would be essential for their future.
When the offer arrived, the impact was immediate.
By taking the time to understand the family’s situation and acting quickly, Britta supported them to inspect a two-bedroom home that same day. With a newborn, having space for a growing family made a meaningful difference to their day-to-day life.
“In our wildest dreams, we didn’t think about getting the offer of a two-bedroom home, let alone a one-bedroom home. But Britta’s very sincere and genuine understanding of our circumstances made the difference.”
Britta’s decision reflected a people-first approach, responding to changed circumstances and prioritising what would best support the family at that time. Her support extended further to practical details that helped Thangjam and his family settle more comfortably into their new home.
“Seeing such a great outcome for this family is very rewarding in my role, and it’s always a great reminder of why we do the job we do,” Britta said.
Support that puts people first
A key part of the family’s journey was the support they received from Britta in HCA’s Housing Allocations team. From the start, Thangjam felt listened to and supported through what can often be a complex and stressful process.
“I would consider meeting Britta, our Housing Allocations Officer, as a blessing.”
Britta, Housing Allocations Officer at Housing Choices
During the allocation process, Britta worked with the family to reassess their needs after the birth of their son, ensuring the home offered reflected their changed circumstances. This conversation took place on the day they attended the Melbourne office to sign a lease for a one-bedroom home.
Thangjam shared, “Words will always fail to describe some rare moments of life… a feeling to be cherished for a lifetime.”
Room to settle and grow
Moving into their new home marked a powerful turning point. For Thangjam, receiving the keys was about more than securing housing. It represented safety, dignity, and the chance to plan for the future.
“Getting the keys and settling into a new home with our newborn is like getting the keys to new hopes and dreams for my family. It’s a very humbling feeling, to say the least.”
Thangjam and his family are now enjoying life in a modern, secure home, close to public transport and city amenities. Some of the moments that matter most are every day and bring a sense of normality and calm.
“We really enjoy washing baby Jacob’s clothes in the communal laundry. It’s on the rooftop of our building, with magnificent views of the city skyline.”
Looking ahead
Nearly a year after moving into their home at Swift Walk, Thangjam says the biggest change isn’t the apartment itself – it’s the peace of mind that comes with knowing his family has somewhere secure to call home.
“Since moving here, we’ve had a secure place to live,” he says. “My wife and our little boy have been able to settle in.”
When the family first moved in, their son Jacob was still a baby. After years of living in shared accommodation, having a home of their own has made everyday life simpler. The lift makes it easy to take the pram downstairs, nearby parks give Jacob space to explore, and shops, public transport and essential services are all close by.
“It’s much easier,” Thangjam says. “We can just put him in the pram and go.”
As they settled in, Housing Choices continued to support the family. When they needed a car space, Housing Allocations Officer Britta helped arrange one. Earlier, she had recognised that the one-bedroom apartment they had originally been offered wouldn’t meet the needs of a growing family and helped them secure a two-bedroom home instead.
“That made a huge difference for us,” Thangjam says.
Today, the apartment has become the backdrop to family life.
After work, Thangjam enjoys coming home to his wife and son. They share dinner before heading to the rooftop to take in the city views while Jacob explores his surroundings.
Resident Thangjam in his apartment at Swift Walk.
“When he’s happy, we’re happy too,” he says.
Perhaps the biggest change is what the family no longer has to think about.
Instead of worrying about where they’ll live next, they’re planning for Jacob’s future.
“We’re looking at childcare, schools and planning for his education,” Thangjam says. “We’re able to focus on the bigger parts of our life now.”
For Thangjam, that’s what having a stable home has made possible.
“That pressure and stress have gone away.”
About Swift Walk
Thangjam and family live at Swift Walk, a new mixed-tenure housing precinct in Kensington delivered through a partnership between Housing Choices Australia and Assemble, with investment from HESTA and support from the Australian Government’s Housing Australia Future Fund Facility (HAFF). The development includes social and affordable homes alongside shared green spaces and community facilities, and is designed to provide secure, long-term housing close to transport, jobs and essential services. Swift Walk reflects how collaboration between community housing providers, developers and institutional investors can help deliver high-quality housing that supports people and communities to thrive.
