CHL and Head Start Homes – working together to reduce homelessness and poverty

Behind Charlene’s Home Ownership Journey

You may have recently seen our short video about Charlene, a community housing tenant, who was able to make her home ownership dream come true when we acted as guarantor for her home loan purchase.  This is the story of how that came to be. Charlene was referred to Head Start Homes by Community Housing Limited (CHL) as one of our first ever Head Start Guarantee applicants. 

In order to be eligible, CHL had assessed that she had met the criteria of paying maximum rent in her social housing residence, had looked after the property beautifully and had never been behind in her rental payments.   Ultimately, supported by both CHL and Head Start Homes and their partners, Charlene’s home loan application was approved and she and her three kids were overjoyed to move into their new home. Charlene described this as “one of the happiest days of her life”, knowing that her children no longer faced the possibility of having to move or become homeless.   

Rennay Miller, Manager of Housing Options and Support at CHL, described the whole process as an amazing opportunity and that she’d seen people go from social housing into the private rental market, but never from social housing into their own home that they’d purchased. 

 CHL assist some of most vulnerable people in our society with long term, affordable rental housing and as a result of Charlene and her children moving, another mum with five children was able to move into the newly vacated social housing property. This means that in total 10 people acquired safe, stable housing as a result of Charlene’s purchase.  

We’re absolutely thrilled with the outcome and the day Charlene moved into her new home was one of celebration, tears of happiness and joy. One we’ll never forget.  

We look forward to working further with CHL to create as many housing opportunities as possible for single mums, those with disabilities and First Nations People because every Australian deserves a safe and stable home. 

You can find out more by watching the video below.

Watch how Head Start Homes and CHL work together to reduce poverty.