Ginger’s story

Program:

Intensive Case Management Initiative

Securing private rental is difficult for clients who come into the ICMI program because of poor or non-existent rental histories and high rates of unemployment.

This became even more challenging during the COVID pandemic with increased demand, diminishing supply of rentals, and less affordable rental rates. It was in this context that “Ginger” was referred to ICMI. At that time, Ginger and her family were a fortnight away from having to vacate their rental property and had nowhere else to live. Ginger was in the process of applying for a job, but the prospective employer had learned that she had an injury and was nervous about hiring her. We advocated to the employer to give Ginger the opportunity to provide medical evidence that would show she could manage the job. However, when this process proved to be futile, we encouraged Ginger to hold onto her other casual job and try to make herself available for more shifts as she could manage them. When the rental tenancy concluded, we assisted Ginger and her family to pay for caravan park accommodation, which they took over to maintain themselves. We also funded some of the family’s storage costs and advocated to the Victorian and Administrative Tribunal to excuse Ginger from addressing private debts that she could not manage given her difficult circumstances. After spending several weeks in the caravan park, Ginger and her family moved in with friends, but the situation was overcrowded. Rising tension between the families led to deteriorating mental health in Ginger and her partner, and their children. When the situation erupted into violence, we intervened to assist the family to stay in one of our crisis properties. With Ginger proactively applying for private rentals and our advocacy to real estate agencies on her behalf, Ginger and her family were finally offered a house for rent. Our team worked with the Private Rental Assistance Program to cover Ginger’s bond and rent in advance. We also referred Ginger to a financial counselling service and an ongoing case management program so that Ginger and her family would continue to be supported to establish and maintain their new tenancy.