Building Hope Brick by Brick

At Vinnies, we believe everyone deserves the safety, security and stability that a home brings.

Right now there are more than 100,000 people waiting for social housing in NSW. The priority of housing to keep people safe during COVID-19 has highlighted the truly crucial need for social housing to ensure every Australian has a safe place to live.

Through our partnership with the NSW Government’s Social and Affordable Housing Fund (SAHF), we are delivering 500 brand-new, fully equipped properties built by Vinnies and partly funded by the NSW Government, for people who can’t afford to rent or buy on the private housing market. Last financial year, we invested a massive $242 million in social and affordable housing, in large part thanks donations from our generous supporters.

Deb’s Story

Having endured a difficult upbringing, the passing of her husband left Deb at a loss.

“I just couldn’t cope because he was my family. That’s all the family I had. Once he was gone, my family was gone. Completely gone,” she said.

Emotionally devastated and with few people to call upon, Deb faced the added burden of being unable to afford the rent on her apartment and quickly found herself without a home.

After giving her a room at Our Lady of the Way, a Vinnies refuge for single women over 55, we eventually found permanent place for her to live, in our brand-new social housing site in Penrith.

Eighteen months on, Deb has a newfound sense of self and is thriving in her home thanks to the support provided by Vinnies and our incredible donors.

“If it wasn’t for Vinnies, I would be on the street,” Deb said, “When I moved in it was like heaven. It’s brand new. I’ve got the scenery, a beautiful balcony – I’ve got everything that I wished for.”

Having experienced the benefits that a stable home has brought to her life, Deb hopes for further investment in social housing to help others like herself.

“With a home, people can feel good about themselves. They can start looking for jobs, building a relationship with their family and living in the community as a proud person.”

You Can Help Change Lives

Thanks to your support, we were able to give Deb a secure place to live. But we’re not stopping with her – we want to see all Australians enjoy their right to a safe, stable home.

We’re calling on the NSW Government to invest in more social housing and reduce homelessness. Please sign our petition and help all Australians to live in a safe home with hope for the future.