Resident Story: Sandra and the homelessness taskforce

Housing Choices resident Sandra lives with her cat Savannah in a cheerfully decorated apartment overlooking the Adelaide CBD.

Having experienced homelessness, Sandra has now found her ‘forever home’, a brand-new apartment close to all the things she holds dear – including her son, grandchildren and the close-knit community she has built through her connections to both Housing Choices and Catherine House.

Catherine House joined the Housing Choices group in 2021, combining decades of experience transitioning women out of homelessness to a life of recovery, stability, and independence with access to a national, not-for-profit community housing provider, that could assist with long term housing.

Sandra is one of the women who has benefited from this merger; following a stay at Catherine House, Sandra was able to secure a stable, long-term home through Housing Choices.

“I count my blessings that I was accepted into Catherine House. The support and guidance offered at a very vulnerable time was immensely appreciated. I made some dear friends whilst with them and felt supported in everything I needed and wanted to achieve.”

“Then became the biggest blessing of all, they found me my forever home, a brand-new apartment in the city through Housing Choices and I couldn’t be happier.”

“Everything just fits.”

Sandra still finds time to see the women she met at Catherine House, engages in many of the activities on offer through the Housing Choices Inclusive Communities team and spends time with her grandchildren – whose pictures are proudly displayed throughout her bright apartment.

“There’s always something to do here, and no excuse not to give it a try and open up your world to brighter opportunities.”