Angelina’s Story
My name is Angelina, and I’d like to share my story in the hope that it might help someone else experiencing homelessness. We had been renting a house for years when our landlord told us he was selling it. My children were only 9 and 5 at the time, and it was devastating to think about leaving our home. I immediately began looking for a new place to live, applying for every rental I could afford, and even some that were too expensive.
But there were very few properties available, and we weren’t offered any. I reached out to local politicians for help, but no one could help. Eventually, we had no choice but to present as homeless. I couldn’t believe it was happening. I cried every day, filled with worry about where we would end up. Just two days before we had to leave our home, NOVAS contacted me and said we could move into a hotel in the City Centre. It wasn’t ideal, but I was relieved to have somewhere to stay, especially since it was close enough for my kids to stay in their school.
Moving into the hotel was a huge adjustment. We went from a 3-bedroom house to a tiny room with three single beds. The only sink was a tiny one in the bathroom, where I had to wash the dishes. I couldn’t cook or do laundry, so I went to my mum’s house every day to wash our clothes and make meals to bring back to the room. Without her, I don’t know how we would have managed.
The hardest part was the lack of space. My kids couldn’t be themselves. They had nowhere to play or meet their friends. They had to eat and do homework on the bed, but they were so good about it, and it broke my heart to see them living that way. The room was so cramped that we couldn’t even pass each other without stepping into the bathroom or onto the bed. There was no-where to go for me to go for a cry in private, and I had to keep it together for their sake. There was no privacy at all, and as a parent, that was tough. While I love my kids, everyone needs their own space sometimes.
Our first Christmas in the hotel was really hard. There was no room for a tree, so I put up a few decorations and stickers on the windows. Visitors weren’t allowed in the hotel, and we’d been so used to having neighbours call in over Christmas in our house. We spent Christmas Day at my mum’s, and that was a nice break, but coming back to the hotel afterward reminded me of the reality of our situation. There was no space for the kids to play with their new toys, and they had to leave most of them in my mum’s house, which broke my heart. We stayed in that hotel for a year before being moved to a family hub, which was a little better. There was more space, and I could finally cook in a small kitchen.
Finally, after two years in temporary accommodation, NOVAS called to tell us we would be moving into one of their homes. It was the 19th of March, a date I’ll never forget. We got the keys on a Friday, which was also my daughter’s birthday, and I made sure we moved in that day to make it extra special. It was one of the happiest days of our lives—I’ve never seen my kids so excited.
Our new home is amazing. Apart from my children, it’s the best gift I’ve ever received. Every night, I thank God for our home. We have wonderful neighbours, my kids are back to having a normal childhood, and they even get to ride their bikes and invite friends over. When my son went back to school in September, he was thrilled to give his friends our new home address.
We’re all so excited for Christmas this year. We’re decorating the house with lights, and I’m cooking dinner for my mum and the rest of the family. The kids are insisting on putting the Christmas tree in the window so everyone can see it. I’m so grateful to NOVAS for everything they’ve done. They’ve been fantastic, and James my Tenant Engagement Manager always checks in to make sure everything is going well. That’s why I wanted to share my story. It’s been hard, but I’m proud of how we coped, and I want others to know that there is hope. If you’re in the same situation, hold on—take it day by day. There is a home for everyone, and you’ll get through it. Thank you to everyone who supports NOVAS, and for helping me and my children find our home.
Angelina.
