Mate. I am so happy today.

So yesterday I moved into my new home. Not many people will know this because I haven’t advertised it but I have been homeless since 9th June - The day before my birthday. Last night I finally got to sleep in my own bed, in my own place that feels safe & where I can have my son.

It’s the small things that give me the greatest satisfaction. Like being able to hang my clothes up or put them in a drawer rather than living out of a suitcase. And having a space I can hang pictures or just generally make my own. I’m stupidly excited about getting some plants.

Anyway this isn’t meant to be one of those “you never know what people are going through on social media” posts even though it kinda is. But the main point I wanted to make is just how messed up this system is and how difficult they make it for people in vulnerable situations...

When I became homeless I was told I would have to sleep rough and report myself to streetlink who would send an outreach worker within 5 working days to find me & confirm I was sleeping on the street & they would then put me in a hostel. This is in the middle of the lockdown...

I was left to find my own hostel or hotel at a time when everything was closed & only accepting referrals. If it wasn’t for the kindness & generosity of the people around me that held me down & supported me then I honestly don’t know what I would have done.

There’s so many reasons why people are or become homeless. I’m lucky to have a strong support network but there are many people who don’t.

There’s no reason anybody should be forced to sleep on the street in one of the wealthiest countries in the world, while so many homes are left empty to accumulate wealth for the rich. There certainly isn’t a reason why access to vital help & provisions should be so difficult.

Safe, secure & affordable housing is something that should be available to all, especially vulnerable people and the system should not be making things harder for them and driving people into further harm and placing people in danger. Especially in a national health crisis.

Thank you to everybody that has checked in with me & helped me get through this insanely difficult period. Your kindness means more than I can put into words.