Sam

Before Sam* came across EchoRealty, he privately rented a property in Auburn, in Sydney’s Western Suburbs, that required repairs his landlord refused to fix.

Each time Sam requested fixtures for the property, the landlord increased the rent. Sam was under immense pressure and didn’t find the place suitable for his family.

“I wasn’t happy with the leaking taps and broken wardrobes. I had to fix them myself despite the increase in rent. I was not comfortable and quite concerned for my family,” the 45-year-old said.

One day, a friend suggested Sam seek assistance from EchoRealty, the largest affordable housing provider in New South Wales, to find a more suitable and affordable property for his family.

At the time, EchoRealty was renting properties under the National Rental Affordability Scheme (NRAS), an initiative that provides eligible households with a 20% discount on market rent.

With support from EchoRealty, Sam, his wife and son, moved into an NRAS affordable housing property in 2018. It was a move that would eventually change their lives for the better.

“The size of the apartment was convenient for my family, and we were happy. It had two bedrooms, two bathrooms, and was located across from the train station which meant I didn’t need to buy a car,” Sam said.

For five years, Sam worked as a Warehouse Team Leader, carefully putting away the rent money he was saving, due to paying reduced rent for the affordable housing property.

“I saved enough for a deposit and in April 2024, I successfully purchased a three-bedroom townhouse, with a backyard for my son to play in,” Sam explained.

“I cannot explain the happiness my wife and I experienced. Coming from a developing country and the struggles you face moving to a new country, it pushes you to set yourself up and I envisioned what I wanted my family home to be like.

“Affordable housing is important for people who are looking to start a new life.”

Sam is thankful for EchoRealty’s support in the leadup to becoming a property owner, commending the team’s willingness to help him and their responsiveness to any of his concerns.

“The team at EchoRealty truly cares for their tenants and won’t let you down. I continue to be grateful for all that they’ve done for me,” he said.

“I have successfully referred members of my community to EchoRealty, some who are now tenants. I could not be any happier for them.

“The work EchoRealty does changes lives. I am grateful to have been one of those tenants as they helped get me to where I am today.”

*Not his real name.