More Than a Roof

A Uniting WA article by Melissa Crompton, first published in the August edition of Revive magazine.

Her digital watch buzzes, piercing the tranquil silence of the living room. It is a quarter past three. Sunlight slants through the curtains, casting long shadows. Bernie, hunched over a framed board continues to etch at her scratch board, with careful precision, a rabbit slowly reveals itself. This art form is new to her, a practice only picked up in the last few years. But Bernie has always had eyes that observe the world and hands to sketch it.

If you were to cast a discerning gaze about her home, it would present an image reminiscent of countless others – a quintessential Western Australian unit filled with comfort and personality (which comes alive with her collection of hats and merchandise). Yet, amidst this semblance of familiarity, a few differences emerge that are pivotal to Bernie. You see, prior to living here, Bernie was homeless and had been for over 40 years.

At 14, Bernie decided to flee from her home, seeking an escape from the turmoil plaguing her young life. Her childhood was marred by sexual abuse from the tender age of seven. Her pleas for help were ignored. A home life that should have provided comfort and safety became a source of fear and uncertainty, driving her to seek refuge in the numbing embrace of alcohol and drugs. Bernie’s experiences as a child and beyond took a heavy toll on her mental health. A toll that Bernie still pays to this day – and one that has made leaving homelessness, through share houses or public housing, exceedingly challenging.

For 40 years, Bernie was stuck in a relentless cycle of finding temporary refuge only to lose it again and again. But today, she’s been living in her home for four years, and uses her story to advocate for people in similar situations.

So, what changed?

A subtle shift unveiled itself within Bernie. A well of inner fortitude sprung, allowing Bernie to address her challenges. It was a turning point when she began confronting her experiences and the very things that had once provided solace. She embarked on a transformative journey through rehab, counselling and attending Alcoholics Anonymous (AA) and Narcotics Anonymous (NA).
During this change, while living in a hostel, Bernie was referred to the Independent Living Program (ILP) offered by Uniting WA. This program, unlike her fleeting experiences of shelters in the past, promised not just a roof, but a support system – a landlord model imbued with understanding, a dedicated caseworker to navigate the complexities of maintaining a home.

What does ILP look like for Bernie? Her lease comes with a degree of flexibility you would not often find in the market. For example, instead of worrying about rent increases driven by external market forces, her rent is set as a percentage of her income. And the ritual of her rent inspections is rather different.

Instead of the anxiety-inducing clipboard-wielding stranger silently scrutinising every corner, her inspections are a conversation with someone who trusts her judgement to ensure the property is maintained and that it continues to meet Bernie’s needs. Like all souls, Bernie finds solace in the presence of a confidant, a sympathetic ear who can offer guidance and steer her when she needs support.

While we can all turn to the internet to seek answers, there is a unique comfort in seeking support from trusted individuals such as a partner, parents, children, friends, or colleagues. For Bernie, her sanctuary lies in the steadfast support of her dedicated case manager, a beacon of commitment to embolden her pursuit of autonomy and self-sufficiency.

Bernie’s mental health challenges will never go away, but they can be managed. Bernie devotes herself to the cultivation of her mental well-being and keenly recognises the indispensable role of a considerate community:

“What I would like you to know is that a place to stay is good, but just because you have a roof over your head, it’s not the end of homelessness, it’s just a first step. Homeless people need services – like mental health or legal help or social workers. So that they can have the help to get over what made them homeless in the first place.”

The Path Home

With the causes of homelessness proliferating alongside its already pervasive presence, Uniting WA are receiving hundreds of requests for support across our services daily. This model of support is right for Bernie and the 209 other ILP clients, but it’s not right for everyone who might experience homelessness.

So, what are the solutions for different people?

You can learn more about them at our upcoming exhibition ‘The Path Home’. Uniting WA has partnered with renowned photographer Jarrad Seng with the aim of taking you beyond the headlines of homelessness, bringing you closer to the stories and solutions.

‘The Path Home’ will feature the portraits of six people with different lived experiences of homelessness and at various stages on their journeys home.

We believe that by understanding the solutions, you can help us build a brighter future for those needing support in these unprecedented times. Together, we can do more.

The exhibition is free, and open from 26 August 2024 at QV1 in the Perth CBD.

Photos and story supplied by Uniting WA.