Hannah: Finding Home

Hannah* was a young mother with an 18-month-old son who had been experiencing homelessness for up to three months, moving back and forth between friends and couch surfing. She had been staying at her mother’s, but the house was overcrowded, family disputes were frequent, and she didn’t feel it was a safe environment for herself or her son. 

At the time, Hannah was completing full-time studies on a low income. 

She had minimal knowledge of private rental prices and budgeting, she had outstanding transport fines, and real safety concerns for both herself and her son. 

Hannah was referred into the BOOST program. Hannah received an immediate assessment and case plan meeting arranged at a time that suited her. She received information about private rental and the financial assistance available to her, and transportation was offered by her specialist case manager to view rental properties on Saturdays. This was made possible by BOOST’s flexible operating hours. 

She also received budgeting support, a safety and risk assessment for herself and her son, and support to identify her strengths, including her determination to find stable housing and complete her studies. An Bolton Clark Homelessness Persons Program Nurse, who regularly attends Hope Street, provided ongoing health care, and BOOST assisted Hannah in addressing her transport fines by helping her write a review letter to the Transport Infringement Case Review area. 

Hannah was referred to the Hope Street in Whittlesea program, and with thewhere BOOST specialist case manager advocacy, Hannah wasprioritised for a vacancy in medium-term supported transitional housing. She is now settled and continues her studies, with access to longer-term housing pathways and ongoing support from the Nurse and her program case manager and youth residential support worker team. 

Today, Hannah and her son have the safety, stability and support they need to thrive. Having secured medium-term housing, Hannah is no longer experiencing homelessness and is able to focus on building a positive future for herself and her child. With stable accommodation, ongoing support, and access to health and wellbeing services, Hannah has been able to continue her studies, strengthen her interdependence, and develop the skills and confidence needed to achieve her goals. Her journey demonstrates how early intervention, flexible support, and a strength-based approach can create lasting change for young families experiencing homelessness. 

*Name changed to protect privacy.