More than 10 years after joining the social housing waitlist, Les had almost stopped expecting the phone call.
“It just came out of the blue,” he says. “I was delighted.”
The 74-year-old had been living with his son and daughter-in-law while waiting for a home of his own. Receiving the offer of a one-bedroom apartment in Carnegie gave him the chance to start again in a place that felt right.
Before moving in, Housing Allocations Officer Britta walked through the apartment with him, answering questions and taking the time to understand what mattered most.
“I couldn’t be happier,” Les says. “This one’s really, really perfect.”
Just a few weeks later, Les is already settling into the rhythm of life in the area; a few favourite coffee shops, a regular route to meet friends and neighbours he stops to chat with.
When another prospective resident visited the building, unsure whether to accept an apartment, Les didn’t hesitate.
“I just said, ‘Come on, I’ll show you.”
He took them through his apartment, showed them the rooftop terrace and shared what life had been like since moving in.
“I sleep like a baby here,” he says.
It’s the little things Les appreciates most. Being able to walk to the shops. Catching the train to meet friends for trivia. Discovering a new favourite restaurant. Knowing almost everything he needs is close by.
“My friends couldn’t believe where I live,” he laughs. “Everything just fits like a jigsaw.”
For Les, home isn’t just the apartment. It’s the life he’s already building around it.
“I just feel I’ve fallen on my feet.”
