The Shocking Detail That Got This Woman Evicted From Her Home After 49 Years–Could It Happen to You?
At the Seniors Discount Club, our community is something that we genuinely care about. We feel that it's important to share stories of our fellow seniors going through difficult times in the hope that we can rally around and find solutions together.
One such story is that of 77-year-old Rosemarie Earley, who is facing an eviction from her home of almost 50 years – all due to a single detail on the property's original lease.
Rosemarie and her husband, Eric, moved into their home in Woonona, a northern suburb of Wollongong, just a couple of years after they immigrated from England in 1971. The couple had a simple dream of a better life for their family in Australia.
Their home was nothing more than an empty shell when they first moved in. With no carpets, window fittings, lightbulbs, or even soil, Rosemarie and Eric had to furnish, renovate, and make improvements with their own money. They even bought a garage and paid to have gas connected.
While initially under the impression they were buying the house – the paperwork stated they had been 'approved to purchase' – the couple was later informed they would never be able to buy it.
However, they didn't worry too much about that, as an inspector who visited the housing commission property assured them they could 'stay here till you die', giving them a sense of security and peace.
Unfortunately, their dream took a tragic turn when Eric passed away after a long illness. As stipulated by the original lease, only the husband's name was allowed, and so Rosemarie contacted the NSW government to have her name recognised as a tenant in their beloved home.
It was a different time back then, with the husband seen as the breadwinner and females relegated to being housewives with a limited say in such matters.
The unexpected consequence of this simple request for recognition resulted in an eviction notice. Rosemarie was initially thrilled to sign paperwork that allowed her to stay in the house with her name on the lease. But just six weeks later, she received a letter stating that her home no longer met her needs.
Devastated, Rosemarie has described the decision to move her as 'absolutely disgusting' and has made a desperate plea for compassion. Her home is ideally suited to her needs, being on one level with modifications made for her age.
A Department of Communities and Justice spokesperson addressed the situation, acknowledging the difficulty of living in a home for 49 years and being forced to leave it. They advised that Rosemarie could stay in the current property until another suitable home is found.
The spokesperson also noted that Rosemarie's current residence is a three-bedroom home occupied by a single person, and they are reviewing housing options to accommodate her while still providing suitable housing for the many families on social housing waiting lists.
Rosemarie has requested a two-bedroom home, and the department is working on securing her desired property as a priority in the area she has chosen to live in.
According to the Australian Institute of Health and Welfare (AIHW), over 39,000 people aged 55 and over were living in social housing as of June 2020, and with an aging population, the wait lists for housing assistance and homelessness services will only continue to grow. This state of housing instability can have serious implications for a person's physical and mental health, with seniors being particularly vulnerable due to their higher risk of falls and physical ailments that require longer recovery times.
The uncertainty of being evicted from a home of almost 50 years, the associated stress and financial burden, and the health impacts that come with it are significant concerns. Aging Australians may suffer from depression, anxiety, and stress, as well as physical ailments like heart rate and hypertension, as noted by the Australian Housing and Urban Research Institute (AHURI).
As a community, we must do more to protect elderly Australians who are facing housing insecurity. Sharing stories like Ms. Earley's on social media, raising awareness, and continuing the conversation can help bring attention to this critical issue.
If you have a story or experience to share, don't hesitate to get in touch with the Seniors Discount Club. Together, we can find ways to help one another and provide the necessary support to elderly citizens.
One such story is that of 77-year-old Rosemarie Earley, who is facing an eviction from her home of almost 50 years – all due to a single detail on the property's original lease.
Rosemarie and her husband, Eric, moved into their home in Woonona, a northern suburb of Wollongong, just a couple of years after they immigrated from England in 1971. The couple had a simple dream of a better life for their family in Australia.
Their home was nothing more than an empty shell when they first moved in. With no carpets, window fittings, lightbulbs, or even soil, Rosemarie and Eric had to furnish, renovate, and make improvements with their own money. They even bought a garage and paid to have gas connected.
While initially under the impression they were buying the house – the paperwork stated they had been 'approved to purchase' – the couple was later informed they would never be able to buy it.
However, they didn't worry too much about that, as an inspector who visited the housing commission property assured them they could 'stay here till you die', giving them a sense of security and peace.
Unfortunately, their dream took a tragic turn when Eric passed away after a long illness. As stipulated by the original lease, only the husband's name was allowed, and so Rosemarie contacted the NSW government to have her name recognised as a tenant in their beloved home.
It was a different time back then, with the husband seen as the breadwinner and females relegated to being housewives with a limited say in such matters.
The unexpected consequence of this simple request for recognition resulted in an eviction notice. Rosemarie was initially thrilled to sign paperwork that allowed her to stay in the house with her name on the lease. But just six weeks later, she received a letter stating that her home no longer met her needs.
Devastated, Rosemarie has described the decision to move her as 'absolutely disgusting' and has made a desperate plea for compassion. Her home is ideally suited to her needs, being on one level with modifications made for her age.
A Department of Communities and Justice spokesperson addressed the situation, acknowledging the difficulty of living in a home for 49 years and being forced to leave it. They advised that Rosemarie could stay in the current property until another suitable home is found.
The spokesperson also noted that Rosemarie's current residence is a three-bedroom home occupied by a single person, and they are reviewing housing options to accommodate her while still providing suitable housing for the many families on social housing waiting lists.
Rosemarie has requested a two-bedroom home, and the department is working on securing her desired property as a priority in the area she has chosen to live in.
The Urgent Need to Address Housing Instability Amongst the Elderly
The heartbreaking story of Rosemarie Earley serves as a reminder of the importance of standing together as a community and supporting each other during difficult times, especially for elderly Australians who are facing housing instability. Ms. Earley's eviction highlights the precarious situation faced by many older citizens struggling to find suitable housing, a problem that is becoming increasingly common across Australia.According to the Australian Institute of Health and Welfare (AIHW), over 39,000 people aged 55 and over were living in social housing as of June 2020, and with an aging population, the wait lists for housing assistance and homelessness services will only continue to grow. This state of housing instability can have serious implications for a person's physical and mental health, with seniors being particularly vulnerable due to their higher risk of falls and physical ailments that require longer recovery times.
The uncertainty of being evicted from a home of almost 50 years, the associated stress and financial burden, and the health impacts that come with it are significant concerns. Aging Australians may suffer from depression, anxiety, and stress, as well as physical ailments like heart rate and hypertension, as noted by the Australian Housing and Urban Research Institute (AHURI).
As a community, we must do more to protect elderly Australians who are facing housing insecurity. Sharing stories like Ms. Earley's on social media, raising awareness, and continuing the conversation can help bring attention to this critical issue.
Key Takeaways
- A 77-year-old woman in Woonona is being evicted from her home of 49 years by the NSW government due to a detail on the property's original lease.
- Rosemarie Earley contacted the NSW government to be recognized as a tenant after her husband's death, which led to an eviction notice.
- The house reportedly meets Ms. Earley's needs for her age and she has requested a two-bedroom home.
- A Department of Communities and Justice spokesperson said they are working with the NSW Land and Housing Corporation and Ms. Earley to find a suitable home and allow her to remain in her current property until a suitable property is confirmed.
If you have a story or experience to share, don't hesitate to get in touch with the Seniors Discount Club. Together, we can find ways to help one another and provide the necessary support to elderly citizens.
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