possible homelessness

@DKW2DO Hey welcome to the forums. So sorry to hear that you're in such a tricky situation right now, it sounds like you're feeling quite unsafe. It sounds like you're trying to be really proactive, but that your options are quite limited. I am not too sure of what options I could offer, other than looking into Launch Housing (unless that's how you've secured your current housing in the first place). I would say though that it might be worth looking for further options through the local community centre in your area - you should be able to just google 'community centre' plus your current location. Sometimes church groups also have housing options, like Uniting Church.

It might be good to talk it through with someone more extensively - you could give the lovely folks at the SANE Drop In Centre a call - they're available 10am-10pm, Mon-Fri on 1800 187 263. Being able to talk about how you're feeling and explore what options you can explore can be really helpful - and sometimes it goes a long way to simply feel heard and understood.

One last thing - we have a handy lil guide for new users if you want some tips and tricks for navigating our community. Hope you find it a welcoming space 😊

@ArraDreaming I think because they're feeling unsafe in their current housing situation and need to leave it for the sake of their mental wellbeing. I can understand that, honestly. Feeling safe is paramount to being able to function.

Hi im so sorry u are going through this @DKW2DO

I recently did a sleep study and the dr said my environment makes me feel unsafe and unable to sleep

I need to move but have no option or money and cant sleep here.

Maybe u can get a dr or specialist to write u are feeling unsafe? Just spitballing..

Sorry again for what ur going through.

Hey, I don't think I can offer any advice but I just want to say I'm going through a similar situation and I deeply empathise with how it feels. I've been harassed at this community housing pretty much daily, often for hours at a time, and the organisation has not responded. I've complained to the peak body for community housing in my state, which has gone nowhere, so I've made a complaint to the housing ombudsman earlier in the week. I've seen and overheard threats of physical harm for almost a year, but attempting to get assistance from police through an intervention order has gone nowhere - I've tried multiple times across multiple channels. And being in community housing means I'm not eligible for emergency accommodation - one of the staff members at the housing organisation even suggested this for me when I was reporting the abuse to them!

If you're getting specific harassment or threats, you should (in theory) be able to contact the police for assistance, and intervention orders or a letter from police are grounds for an accelerated transfer, at least in my state. I obviously haven't been able to do that, but I have been able to see a GP who provided a letter supporting my case that my current housing is impacting my mental health. If no one has suggested this yet, it might be worth checking if there's a similar rule in your state or territory. That's the only advice I can think of at the moment.

@DKW2DO sounds like you are in a tough situation, but that you still have a little bit of hope left that you can find a solution. It is great that you have the relisience to keep trying to resolve this despite all that is going on for you.

Depending on which state you live in, you may be able to apply for a housing swap, or transfer. Transfers need valid reasons - but might be quicker time frame than a straight swap. These are some example reasons that they may consider https://www.facs.nsw.gov.au/housing/living/move-swap-transfer/tenant-transfers If you do need to move out of your public housing property it may be that you can apply for a transfer before moving into temporary accommodation & so may be higher up the waitlist than if you had to reapply down the track.

As others have mentioned - it may help your situation with your public housing if you can get evidence from a GP or psychologist or whatever mental health professionals know about your situation to back up your need to move. Many public housing authorities have a specific form they'd prefer you to use for reporting these medical needs.

Also from what you have said I wouldn't rule out the possibility of negotiation to rent a room with your friend. It sounds like her sister may have concerns, and want to protect your friend from potential problems occuring that may upset their mental health. Your friend may have some of her own triggers that her sister is worried about, but a discussion beforehand could allow you all to work through any concerns to come to a mutually acceptable solution. Could you have a sit-down discussion with your friend and her sister to discuss further and you could put in place some house rules to make the expectations clearer of how it would work to live together? Possibly a trial period could be considered before you give up your Public housing tenancy?

Do you have any options to briefly stay in other accommodation for a night or few to give you a break from being triggered? Family, friends, couch-surfing, hostel or anywhere that you would feel safer than your current place, but that is affordable for you? May not be a great long-term option, but may give you a little relief from the triggering situation while you work things out.

Good luck - hope you can find a solution.

@CrazyChick @Jynx @Eternal Flower@emergence

Thank you all for your input...it has given me much to think about and a stimulus to get real with myself as well. Scared out of my wits but hopeful of some sort of positive change.

You are not alone @DKW2DO . The road may be hard, but we are behind you.

Please let us know how you are going.

I hear you @DKW2DO

I wish professionals could see how not having a safe home is so impactful. I totally understand why u feel this way.

I am hoping to submit an application for public housing and know how draining these processes are.