A recent marital relationship breakdown had left me homeless for a period of 7 months, couch surfing.

Fortunately, I had my home available to move back to post it being on the open rental market. My sense of personal place as a second marriage bereft and to share costs of my mortgaged property left me seeking a shared accommodation with a mature aged woman.

I set up my profile on BTH hopeful and excited about the opportunities of social justice, supportive share and security of police checks and profile photos, stories, connections.

I began reaching out to women on BTH website. Through these conversations I made connections to their stories and positions, their foibles, strengths and similarities yet vast differences in experiences, journeys and how they too at over 55 found themselves vulnerable and needing accommodation.

My readings of research showed demographic anomalies for my age group in being able to secure short term or long-term accommodation. I found there was a ravenous community of women seeking a share.

M and I were both active on the site: her seeking accommodation and I seeking a share person to allow my financial situation not to drive me out onto the street.

We both had altruistic approaches and proactive responses to social justice in our careers, voice and values.

We had three meetings then set up an RTA rental agreement as per guidelines with bond, rental protocol. This we agreed gave us both clarity on our business connection. We further discussed the house delineation, boundaries, personal needs, shared spaces.

Once both the financial, legal and personal boundaries were positioned we began the journey connecting and sharing my home, our place.

M moved from my home at end of lease. We both remain friends with strong connections not only as flatmates but deeper women’s discussions of family, hopes, joys and despairs.

I believe that strong friendships, supportive women’s circles and deep treasures of understanding women’s issues can be forged within this dynamic model. 

I am very grateful to have met and call M a friend. I am grateful that BTH exists and is assisting with these powerful community proactive alliances.

I continue to be an active member of the conversation about homelessness with women over 55 and indigenous women over 45. I continue to talk to homeless women on the street about their stories, my stories, our stories.
E Better Together Housing Member