Anglicare WA works with people experiencing housing issues, homelessness or at risk of homelessness providing support to seek stable housing arrangements, and connect with emergency relief options or financial counselling support.
We offer guidance and assistance to maintain a tenancy in private or public housing, the space to feel safe and the skills needed to enhance and sustain living conditions.
Colin* had been living under a bridge when he walked into one of our offices.
Colin was desperate for help. He wanted to turn his life around, reconnect with his son he had not seen for six years and be a good father. He knew he had to work on his alcohol addiction and needed medication to aid his withdrawal.
Our team spent ten hours with Colin on the first day. They used emergency relief money to help him buy some basic clothes and a blanket, and supported him to purchase medication and obtain a doctor's referral to an alcohol rehabilitation program. Our financial counselling service staff worked with Colin to develop a weekly budget for essentials while also building savings.
It was important for Colin to find stable accommodation to help his recovery. We worked with to him to secure a place with a crisis housing service, including helping with the paperwork and referrals. From the safe place with the crisis housing service he was able to move into a sober house and from there was able to book into a rehabilitation clinic.
Anglicare WA keeps in touch with Colin, he has been sober for three months and has put on weight with a healthy, regular diet. But the best news of all? His 12 year old son has visited him, Colin's first contact with his son in six years.