You helped them breathe again
David* and Pat* never imagined they would face homelessness in their later years. The couple, who had lived in the same house for decades, were blindsided when they received an eviction notice. Their rental home needed urgent repairs, and they had nowhere else to go.
‘We were terrified,’ Pat recalls. ‘I work at the hospital, but even with my job, we couldn’t find anywhere we could afford. We didn’t know what to do.’
When they walked into one of our Centres, they were anxious and overwhelmed. But thanks to your generosity, help was waiting.
‘Our hearts were pounding that day,’ David says quietly. ‘We felt like everything was falling apart. But the staff welcomed us with such kindness. For the first time in weeks, we felt hope.’
The team immediately stepped in, providing practical and emotional support. They guided David and Pat through an application for Senior Housing, helping complete online forms, upload documents, and liaise with housing services. ‘They didn’t just give us advice—they walked every step with us,’ Pat says. ‘We couldn’t have done it alone.’
Within weeks, their application was accepted. Today, David and Pat are settled in a safe, healthy home—with lower rent and peace of mind. ‘It’s like a weight has lifted,’ David shares. ‘We can breathe again,’ Pat adds. ‘To everyone who donates—you have no idea what your kindness means. You didn’t just give us a house. You gave us security, dignity, and hope.’
They are now able to enjoy simple things again like sharing morning tea on their sunny balcony, reconnecting with neighbours, and planning visits with their grandchildren. ‘We feel like we belong again,’ Pat says with a smile. ‘That’s priceless.’
Your support makes stories like David and Pat’s possible. Every day, seniors and families across New Zealand face housing crises. Your donations ensure we can respond quickly, provide practical help, and guide people to safe homes.
* Identities have been changed to protect privacy.
