From Homelessness to Hope with Multicultural Care

Seventy-three-year-old Abdel* has faced significant hardships throughout his life. Born in Syria, he immigrated to Sydney, Australia, in the early 70s. He worked as a motor mechanic and lived with his family. Unfortunately, due to unresolved family issues, Abdel found himself alone and homeless.

His living conditions were dire. Residing in a privately rented room, essentially a garage with minimal facilities, he had no contact with family or friends and lacked support. His situation became even more precarious when he received an eviction notice, putting him at imminent risk of homelessness once again.

On top of that, Abdel’s physical and mental health conditions added to his challenges. He suffers from major depression, memory problems, and chronic back and neck pain. He struggles with low mood, lack of motivation, and insomnia plagued by nightmares. His memory issues cause constant forgetfulness and confusion, and he has experienced multiple falls in the past year, necessitating the use of a walking stick.

Despite these challenges, he manages his day to day activities independently but needs assistance with meals, cleaning, shopping, and attending medical appointments.

In the face of eviction and deteriorating health, Abdel was referred to the Multicultural Care Care finder team by My Aged Care services. The Care finder team made initial contact over the phone and arranged to meet Abdel at his rented accommodation. Realising the urgency of his situation, the Care finder team intervened by negotiating an extension of his tenancy by another month.

During this critical period, the Care finder team introduced Abdel to various services provided by My Aged Care, including CHSP meals and transport services. They assisted him in registering a Care finder team member as his representative and reached out to different services to help him find new accommodation. This involved filling out paperwork, attending meetings with housing departments, and coordinating with his GP and psychologist to provide necessary documentation.

The Care finder team worked tirelessly with housing departments in Liverpool, Bankstown, and Parramatta, as well as with NEAMI National, to secure rental accommodation for Abdel. Their efforts paid off when they found him a ground-floor residence in Moorebank, significantly shortening the usual wait time for social housing, which can be up to 10 years.

With the help of the Care finder team, Abdel settled into his new accommodation. They introduced him to various service providers that can offer support. The Care finder team remains in regular contact with Abdel, conducting follow-ups to check on his health and well-being.

They recently helped him register for MyGov on his mobile phone and continue to support him in managing his depression.

Abdel has started participating in community activities, which has had a positive impact on his mental health. He agreed to participate in a Dementia-related project conducted by the University of Sydney, which has helped him feel more positive and proactive. Although he needs more time to settle in, he has expressed interest in joining the ACVVS program as a volunteer in the future.

Abdel’s story is a testament to the impact that compassionate and dedicated support can have on an individual's life. The intervention of the Care finder team not only helped him avoid homelessness but also provided the necessary resources and support to improve his quality of life.

With ongoing support and community engagement, Abdel is now on a path to a more stable and hopeful future. 

Abdel’s story is a testament to the impact that compassionate and dedicated support can have on an individual's life.

*Name has been changed for privacy.

Find out more about Multicultural Care