Janie’s Story: Finding Forever Housing

A bit about Janie

Janie’s days are filled with music and people. As a nanny, she loves introducing children to music “to open up their world,” she says. Her home reflects this passion: a beautiful piano and guitars are foregrounded in her home and some of her most prized possessions. Music runs in her family – her mum played jazz piano and “always brought home all these crazy records,” according to Janie.

Family is central to Janie’s life. Her apartment is dotted with photos from holidays and gatherings. But her passion for connection extends beyond her family and being a nanny, it’s also a fundamental part of the work she does in her community at Ivanhoe.

Connecting people

Janie has lived at Marshall Street for two and a half years, during which time she’s built strong connections with the other 15 renters in the building. The group get along well, and Janie often checks in with neighbours, especially if she knows someone is going through a tough time. Having experienced her own challenges, she believes “It’s people that get you out of that.”.

Building bridges through TAG

Janie is now a proud member of Unison’s Tenant Advisory Group (TAG), a collective of renters working to strengthen communication between renters and the organisation. “I wanted to help whack down some walls and help people feel more secure in their tenancy,” she explains.

TAG’s first meeting in May was a success, and Janie was inspired by long-time member Frank, whose dedication to community advocacy set a strong example. “It’s a good mix of renters,” Janie says, representing both social and affordable housing. “It’s really important that Unison listens to renters – good communication improves everything,” Janie says.

Janie sees TAG as a vital bridge, ensuring that renter voices are heard, valued, and reflected in decision-making.

“Someone like a TAG member can listen to people in their community, come to the meetings and show and tell. It’s brilliant how Unison is so open to having us there and listening.”

The road to affordable housing

Janie never expected to face housing insecurity. She had worked all her life, raised a family, owned a home, and hit all the milestones that society sets out. But when her marriage ended, she found herself in a precarious position. The proceeds from selling her Brisbane apartment didn’t stretch far. She bought a camper van and travelled around for a while, but was eager to put down roots in Melbourne again.

Like many women in her age group, Janie found herself in the ‘missing middle’ of renters, earning too much to qualify for social housing, but not enough to afford a private rental.

“There are so many women in my age group who are struggling. I hope other women can apply and look at other housing situations to get on that ladder to peace, I call it.”

In 2016, while apartment searching in Melbourne Janie saw an ad for an affordable Unison property on Nicholson St in Coburg that seemed too good to be true. It had all the features Janie desired, and it was in her price range. Janie was accepted for the rental and stayed there until Unison sold the property in 2019.

Finding a forever home

After a few years of unstable housing, including during the COVID-19 pandemic when Janie couldn’t work, Janie reconnected with Unison and was offered her apartment in Marshall St at Ivanhoe. The moment she saw it, she knew it was perfect for her – bright, spacious, with a large bedroom and an outdoor area.

Being approved for the property, which is social housing, was a turning point for Janie.  Social housing offers what’s called “security of tenure” meaning that there is no fixed end on the lease. “It’s given me security with my mental health in every way. It’s been fantastic,” Janie says. She’s made the space her own and finally feels that she can settle and invest in her home.

“Your gratefulness goes up in every aspect of your life when you have forever housing. It’s a dramatic change.”

Looking forward

Janie’s advice to others struggling with housing insecurity is: don’t give up hope. “You can’t give up. You have in the back of your mind that one day you will get it (housing),” Janie says. She encourages those who are waiting to hang onto what they’ve got – where they’re staying this week, and the people in their lives they can lean on. “Try and find somebody like a mentor, in your area or even at Unison, who could help you through that journey of waiting,” Janie advises.

Now that she has a stable home, Janie is focused on staying healthy and active in her community. “I’ve got grandchildren – that’s a big motivator. The glass is half full, not half empty. I think we’ve got a lot to look forward to as a community, in this great, safe city and country that we live in.”

To learn more about the work Janie is doing in the Unison renter community through TAG, click the button below.

Learn More About TAG