Supporting home ownership: Brooke's story
Brooke, a single mother from Victoria, had rented the same home for 20 years, raising her family there. When the owners decided to sell, her lease was terminated, leaving her facing uncertainty about her housing future.
Although Brooke had been saving for four years, buying a home on a single, lower income still felt out of reach. With support from her mortgage broker and following the expansion of the Australian Government 5% Deposit Scheme in October 2025 and increase in price caps, Brooke was able to broaden her search and began considering apartments within her budget. "Once I decided on an apartment, I was able to buy exactly where I wanted- just two minutes from work. I looked at many apartments on my first day of house hunting, and the one I bought was one of the very first units I viewed," said Brooke.
Through the 5% Deposit Scheme, Brooke was able to purchase her first home sooner than she otherwise could have, giving her long-term security and peace of mind. "Owning a home has given me a sense of security for my future. I have two adult children, and now I have a spare bedroom that will always be there for them if they need it," Brooke said.
After renting her entire adult life, Brooke has fully embraced home ownership. "As soon as I picked up the keys, I started cleaning walls and preparing to paint. Being able to make the place my own really made the reality of home ownership hit home," Brooke said proudly.