How we helped Edwina avoid homelessness

Nearly 50 years ago, Edwina’s* parents moved into a SAHA property in Greater Adelaide, and many years later, she moved closer to her elderly parents to care for them. 

Edwina’s father suffered from dementia and went into a care facility in 2022, which meant the SAHA lease had to be transferred into Edwina’s mother’s name. Just months later, Edwina’s mother broke her hip and became very frail, and Edwina moved into the SAHA property to become her mother’s primary carer. 

Sadly, Edwina’s father passed away in late 2022 and her mother died in mid-2023, leaving Edwina to care for her brother who had sustained a brain injury and lived on the same street. 

Edwina asked to transfer the SAHA property’s lease into her own name, but SAHA rejected the request despite Edwina being eligible for public housing as a pensioner in her sixties. They advised Edwina that tenancies can only be transferred once, and the three-bedroom property was too large based on their occupancy standards. 

Edwina’s need to live close by was critical: Her brother needed constant attention and she relied heavily on her community for support as her mental health declined with grief. 

Edwina brought an application to SACAT to review SAHA’s decision and the matter was listed for a full hearing. When she approached Homeless Legal’s SACAT clinic for advice, our team of volunteer lawyers leapt into action. They prepared a written submission, requested a slew of documents and advised SAHA that Edwina was being assisted by JusticeNet.

A few days before the full hearing, SAHA reached out to Edwina to offer her a lease for the property until they could find her suitable accommodation nearby, provided she withdrew her SACAT application, which Edwina happily did. 

Edwina was extremely satisfied with both JusticeNet and her lawyers’ services, and felt we did everything we could to support her. “I am so very grateful for the help I received,” said Edwina. “My legal team was concerned for my future and did everything they could do for me.”

*Name changed to protect privacy

First published 02 Nov 2023
Image credit: Dreamstime