“As a family we weren’t coping. Lili needed around-the-clock care and we eventually couldn’t provide her with the routine and stability she needed,” her mother Margaret told Evolve Housing.

“It was a painful decision to make because it felt like abandoning your child, but we knew it was the right thing to do.”

Along with two other families, Margaret fought tooth and nail to secure “Rosevilla”, a home in Sydney’s upper north shore suburb of Roseville for Lili and two other women. Although it required a lot of repairs and maintenance, Margaret hoped it could become a home for Lili.

“The property was in a poor state—dirty, mould everywhere, the lights were busted, our ceiling was falling in, and the garden was overgrown.”

Margaret and the other parents banded together to fix the home but also sought Evolve Housing’s assistance after not receiving the quality and transparency their daughters deserved from the previous provider.

“Evolve Housing has been very responsive, in particular Errin who has come in and understood the needs of our girls. Errin dug in deeper to get the bigger and harder problems fixed, like our driveway which had so many potholes. He worked with Council to get it fixed. Errin goes above and beyond and represents what Evolve Housing is about beautifully.”

It wasn’t the life Margaret expected for her daughter, but things took a turn when Lili was just eight weeks old and contracted meningitis, an infection of the membranes that surround the brain and spinal cord, caused by bacteria or viruses.

“Lili wasn’t meant to survive. She was on life support for well over a week, but she decided to stick around and we’re all grateful that she did. Lili is an incredible young woman, she’s incredibly brave and does her best,” Margaret said.

Margaret credits Evolve Housing for the constant support that Lili and her housemates receive, stressing that it’s important for Lili to be in a supportive community, surrounded by a network of family, friends and professionals who help her with her everyday life.

“Now that Lili’s life is so predictable, her world is making sense to her. Her life at the age of 25 is blooming. I stopped being her carer and started being her mother. Lili comes to us weekly, and we have lunch and spend time together. When she tells me she wants to go home to Rosevilla to see her housemates, it fills my soul. Rosevilla is her home. It’s where she is comfortable, and the women have made it their own. Lili is safe and very loved, and a lot of that has to do with the delivery of quality bricks and mortar. All the taps work, the shower works, the lights turn on—all these things play a role in her quality of life and happiness.

“I always think of Lili being in the middle of a circle where the first ring is her family, then people who support her. I am happy for her.”

Margaret calls for more support and services for people living with disabilities, saying it’s their right to live independently. “People with disabilities have a right to live as independently as possible, and if that means living alone with support funded by NDIS, then why not,” she said.

“Having your own identity and choice and control over the life you choose to live is the springboard to living your best life.”

Nawal arrived in Sydney in 1995 speaking Arabic and French. Despite the language barrier, she decided she would do whatever it took to get an education and be able to support her children.

“I went to university studying full-time, while working part-time and looking after my young children,” the now 62-year-old explained.

“A year after arriving in Sydney, I became a resident of Evolve Housing. If I didn’t have that rental assistance support, I wouldn’t have been able to achieve what I did. I had a goal to achieve, and that’s what I set out to do.”

Determined, Nawal went on to complete three qualifications including a Master’s in TESOL (Teaching English for Speaking Other Languages), a Graduate Diploma in TESOL, and a Bachelor of Arts in Languages—all while raising her children single-handedly.

Her studies led her to full-time work at NSW AMES (Adult Migrant English Services), the same place where she learnt English after arriving in Australia.

This meant Nawal was no longer eligible for rent support, but later, due to her age and health issues, Evolve Housing resumed assisting Nawal with rent and housing.

Nawal knew she wanted to give back to Evolve Housing, one way or another. Four years ago, she decided to join the Resident Advisory Group (RAG) and she hasn’t looked back since.

“I’ve always appreciated the service and help I’ve been receiving from Evolve Housing as a resident. I thought this was a way to show my appreciation,” she said.

“It felt amazing when Evolve Housing approached me to join the team. I felt so special and I’m grateful to our tenants for appreciating my input.

“I do feel like I am doing them justice, by bringing their concerns to the table. One of the best things about the RAG is that we can show Evolve Housing the impact of their decisions from our perspective.

“We’ve helped Evolve Housing with many things such as suggesting contacting residents in different languages regarding surveys, telling them which contractors are better for maintenance, adjusting communication with letters, and most recently, giving our views on the brand-new tenant portal.”

Nawal commended Evolve Housing team members Robert Costa and Dyana Selim for managing the RAG and ensuring Evolve Housing implemented the group’s feedback to give all residents the best possible service.

“Dyana and Robert have been amazing. They are dedicated to their job and are both patient and very diplomatic. No one else could do what they are doing.”

Nawal is happy with her position on the RAG and hopes to continue being a spokesperson for Evolve Housing residents. “I personally am a positive person. Everything has a negative and positive side but if we focus on the positive side we can go forward and achieve what we can.”

A renter in public housing for 25 years following an abusive marriage breakdown and struggling to make ends meet at her sewing job, Stella feels extremely lucky to have a place of her own.

“For me, I feel fortunate to come back to Evolve Housing,” the 65-year-old said.

“Evolve Housing cares about the renters. There are lots of activities and if we have a problem, we can head to the office where it’s so much easier to connect
with staff.”

Stella lived in Ascot Vale for 20 years before she was relocated for five years while the Victorian Government revamped the 80 old walk-up units into 200 modern apartments. Funded through a $104 million grant from the Big Housing Build initiative, the new complex offers a mix of social and affordable, one, two and three-bedroom homes, including five fully accessible apartments to support people living with disability.

This exciting initiative also saw the beginning of Evolve Housing’s expansion into Victoria, through Evolve Housing Vic Limited (EHVL). EHVL won the management of 100 social housing dwellings, as well as the maintenance for all common areas for the 200 dwellings in the renovated complex. Later, an additional 26 social housing units were also awarded to EHVL.

When Stella migrated to Australia from China, she couldn’t speak a single word of English but took it upon herself to learn. She also secured a job working in a sewing factory. She became an Australian resident when her son turned seven and life was going well for a while. However, when her marriage turned abusive, things took a turn for the worse.

Despite the challenging times, Stella never gave up on pursuing her dreams as an Evolve Housing renter.

Today she is an active member of the Victorian Resident Advisory Group (RAG) and involved in social housing activities such as the Women’s Group and the community garden.

She is also an avid member of the wider Ascot Vale community and involved in the Wingate Community Centre, a centre that focuses on social justice, advocacy and action on behalf of local people who are experiencing barriers to participation. Studying parttime, Stella hopes to assist the local community by becoming a Chinese interpreter.

“I’m a people person, I like to help others. I really want to be a Chinese Interpreter and get my certificate,” she said.

Since being a renter with Evolve Housing, Stella said she feels at home and is looking forward to many years with the Dunlop Avenue community, along with the support of Housing Manager Gavin Smith and Community
Connections Officer Eliza Amilale.

“Gavin and Eliza are quite warm and easy to talk to…I am very comfortable with them,” she said.

When asked for wise words for current and future renters, Stella said to look around because there is always someone willing to help. “Help is always near. For me, I feel very lucky to come back to Evolve Housing…I am home.”

When you ask Craig to talk about his life, the first thing he will tell you is that he’s “happy to be here”. After all that he’s been through, no one would expect Craig to be grateful for the journey that brought him to Evolve Housing.

Coming from a privileged background, Craig never imagined that he would end up homeless after his family home was sold. But that’s exactly what happened and how he found himself sleeping rough in the middle of winter with only the clothes on his back and his dirt bike.

The then 47-year-old was too proud to tell his family and friends that he had no home. For two months in 2020, Craig was homeless. He slept in his friends’ cars just to have a warm place at night.

When a police officer, who happened to be his friend, found him in a car, Craig started to get the support he needed. Craig’s friend took him to Link2Home, a service which provides homelessness support and accommodation services across NSW. For the first time in two months, Craig had a hot shower, changed his clothes, quenched his thirst and hunger and finally slept in a bed.

“I was hungry…the hunger was worse than being a drug addict and I’ve been one for most of my life,” Craig told Evolve Housing.

Craig knew this wasn’t the life he wanted to lead. He wanted to make his three children proud. Link2Home placed Craig in a motel for three months where he created a rental history to better his chances of finding a home to rent. He was then connected to a case worker from Evolve Housing’s Together Home program, which provides housing and support services to people who are sleeping rough or who are, or have recently been, living in temporary accommodation.

“That three months in the motel was a nightmare and I wanted to get out,” Craig recalled. “I met my case worker within a month of staying at the motel and he told me they had a place for me.

“He [my case worker] gave me confidence and having someone check in on me meant I had to stay on the planet…it wasn’t easy after what I had been through. I finally moved to Warwick Farm in Sydney’s Western Suburbs and my case worker did everything for me, taking me to the dentist, showing me places to get food from, sorting out my driver’s license. Anything I needed help with, he was there.”

Craig stayed in Warwick Farm for two-and-a-half years before moving to Evolve Housing’s brand-new social housing complex, Lidcombe Rise in July 2023.

“I love having my own place. It’s great I can do what I want,” Craig said. “After years of struggling with my wellbeing and having trouble sleeping, I’ve been able to draw again. I only draw when I’m good, and I’ve been drawing a lot.”

With the safety of having his own place and a supportive girlfriend, Craig was motivated to do everything he could to keep a roof over his head.

“I wanted to do everything for Lauren. She told me to get off the drugs, helped me get my daughters back in my life and with her support, and Evolve Housing’s support, I have a lounge, I have nice clothes. She believed in me and was there for me.”

Craig praised everyone in his life who got him to where he is and offered words of encouragement to those who may find themselves in a similar situation.

“If you’re in the program [Link2Home], you should really count yourself lucky. It is a fantastic program that has helped so many people, including myself. I am happy to be here and I wouldn’t have it any other way.”

You just never know where life will take you, but Emma Freeland said she does not regret the journey which eventually saw her as an Evolve Housing resident. 

Emma, 36, her husband, 50, and their two children, Gabriel and Tisa, found themselves living with different family members over the years. First with her uncle in Campbelltown, and then in Auburn with her aunty before deciding it was time to find a place for themselves that was affordable and accommodating to their family size. 

“My husband was delivering newspapers and advertisements to mailboxes about three to four times a week and was bringing back only $200 a month. We eventually moved to my aunt’s home and my husband got a job through her as a forklift driver. Things were great and I’m grateful to my aunty, but it was time to find our own home,” Emma said. 

Emma stumbled upon Evolve Housing’s phone number and spoke to a member of the team who explained the affordable housing process through our real estate entity EchoRealty. 

Emma was looking for a house with three bedrooms so her children, a son and daughter, could live and grow up comfortably. The property manager informed her that there was one three-bedroom house available, an affordable housing dwelling owned by Evolve Housing. Emma put in an application and the house was hers. 

“We were the first people to move into the place, and we stayed there for almost eight years. When we got the house, we were so thankful because Evolve Housing saved us from anything else,” she said. 

Something that stuck out about their new home was a sign at the disability organisation across the street that read, “Little by little”, which reminded Emma to take one step at a time. 

Unexpectedly, tragedy struck when Emma’s husband required a massive operation and was recovering at home for a year. Emma was not working because she was looking after the kids but knew she had to do something to help her family. “I decided to look at doing a course.  

On the Evolve Housing website, there was a free course in Individual Support in Ageing. It was a Certificate 3, and I love challenging myself, so I signed up.” 

Emma also encouraged her husband to do the same course. While she studied, Emma found a job at a meat factory and was helping her family any way she could, before the pair went on to complete their Certificate 4. 

When her husband finished his course, he needed to do work placement so Emma encouraged him to go ask the disability organisation across the road to see if he could complete his placement there. 

After a week of placement, Emma’s husband was offered full-time work. Emma knew this was the beginning of something great. She got her husband to ask on her behalf if they could interview her. Eventually, the pair were working together full-time in different departments, and things were going well. 

Emma never imagined her family would move from the Evolve Housing property, but then one day, a colleague offered her home to Emma to rent.  

“We moved out of the Evolve Housing property last year. I knew it was the right decision because my kids are growing up and it was time to move on. Our new home has four bedrooms with a massive double lounge, dining area, three showers and toilets, a spacious laundry area, backyard and garage. I’m very happy and the bills are manageable,” she said. 

Emma said that without Evolve Housing’s support her family wouldn’t have found themselves in this position. 

She can’t thank Evolve Housing enough for everything they did to support her and her family. 

“My husband is so happy because sometimes we talk about what we’ve achieved. We appreciate how far we’ve come with the help of Evolve Housing. 

“Being tenants at Evolve Housing gave us the opportunity to save and look at us now. We’re both working full time and have given someone else in need, the opportunity to be supported by Evolve Housing.” 

Walter (Wally) Gibson, a 56-year-old proud Wiradjuri man, has overcome immense hardships to secure a new role as a Youth Mentor. His inspiring journey is proof of the great impact of Evolve Housing’s Opportunity Pathways (OP) program. 

This NSW Government-funded voluntary program supports social and public housing clients to access employment, training and work opportunities. 

When Wally joined the OP program, he courageously shared the many hardships he had endured, including battling depression and anxiety, and grappling with injuries sustained during his successful 10-year career as a professional rugby league player. He also faced a broken-down relationship due to domestic violence, the tragic death of his nephew to suicide, his suicidal thoughts and homelessness. 

Things took a turn for the better for Wally, when he learned about the Department of Communities and Justice’s Start Safety program. Wally found housing in a private rental in the heart of Liverpool and was soon connected to Evolve Housing’s OP program to assist him with his employment goals. 

Paired up with his dedicated Evolve Housing case coordinator Trudie, the pair worked closely on preemployment activities such as creating a resume, conducting employment searches and interview preparation and training. 

Eventually, Wally was sent off to two interviews, one of which was with Aurora Foundation, an Indigenous organisation that supports Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander students to reach their full education and employment potential. He could not believe what happened next. 

“Aurora called me 30 minutes after the interview saying I got the job! I can’t believe it, even to this day. They told me that they’re prepared to put in the effort with me for the next 10 years. And that to me meant the world. Telling people I know that I’m an Indigenous mentor means a lot.” 

Wally started his new role on the 25th of May, embarking on a journey to change the lives of young people through his leadership and life experiences. This incredible opportunity for Wally aligns perfectly with his passion and purpose. He is enjoying making a difference in the lives of youth and is eager to share his knowledge, compassion and guidance. 

Wally said without Trudie, his case coordinator’s support and belief in him, he wouldn’t have found himself with a home or employment. “Without Trudie I wouldn’t have been able to be where I am today. Trudie is always there for me. Anytime I need her, she’s just a phone call away.” 

Some words of advice from Wally are: “Never give up. It’s easier to say that and at one point I was close to taking a different turn. But now I can reflect and have a little smile and say it didn’t get me. I didn’t give up.” 

When James found himself in hospital for three months, in a life-or-death situation due to an aneurysm and stroke, he didn’t expect for his life to completely change. 

The 36-year-old was living at The Haymarket Foundation, a local crisis accommodation centre for people experiencing homelessness and other disadvantages in Sydney, while working at Advanced Metal Door Frames when he landed in hospital. 

James’ recovery was a long road but soon enough he found himself back at Haymarket before being transferred to their other crisis accommodation service in Ashfield. James was left with nothing, until his social worker connected him to Shahn from Evolve Housing under the Together Home program. 

The Together Home program provides much-needed support and housing for struggling Australians. For James, the program was a life-changer, connecting him to Evolve Housing and his case coordinator Shahn, who set out short-term goals to help James to get to where he needed to be. 

“Shahn encouraged me to look after my health before I started TAFE to study a Certificate 4 in Mental Health. I was settled in a new home and Shahn sorted out grants for me to purchase a new desk, chair and laptop for my future studies. I couldn’t believe that this was now my life. Unfortunately, I couldn’t keep going [with my studies] because of my health but Shahn said that my health was a priority.” 

James turned his focus to recovering and his six-year-old daughter Emily-Grace, knowing that he wanted to be around for her as she grew up. He said with Shahn’s guidance, he was able to understand what was going on in his life. 

“It means a lot to me to be around my daughter. If it weren’t for her, I wouldn’t be working so hard to get better.” 

James is hoping to get back to TAFE at the end of the year but said without the support and assistance of the Together Home program, he wouldn’t be where he is today. 

“Together Home is an important program, a pillar of my lifeline. They have been there for me in every situation…if I didn’t have a home I don’t know where I’d be. But now I have a home to go to. I get to clean my place, make my food, watch TV because of Together Home. I know my health is improving because I’m in this program.” 

Offering words of encouragement, James said: “I would like people to not give up, be courageous, believe in yourself, you can do anything you focus on.” 

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.