Supporting secure housing: Carrie-Ann's Story

Carrie Ann Huddleston turned the key in her brand new, affordable apartment in Sydney’s inner-city suburb of Waterloo, and let out a big sigh.

“The joy of having a new apartment in the neighbourhood I love most, is simply wonderful. It's a fresh start in a place that already feels like home.” — Carrie Ann Huddleston

“I was craving a little space of my own," she says with a laugh. "I just didn’t know where to start looking; life was a bit of a juggling act for a while."

With funding under Round 1 of the Housing Australia Future Fund (HAFF) and support from the NSW Government and the City of Sydney, City West Housing delivered 74 social and affordable apartments last year in Waterloo. The Boronia Apartments are now fully tenanted. 

“I’d heard ‘affordable’ as a buzzword on a big development nearby,” said Carrie Ann. 

“I looked up the developer—City West Housing. I contacted them every few months during the development, to show I was keen."

The eldest of 3 girls from a close family, Carrie Ann has never been afraid of reinvention. She built a corporate media career in Australia and the UK, co-owned and renovated a large Surry Hills terrace house with friends, then sold her share in her 40s to take a sabbatical and travel overseas.

Carrie Ann returned to Australia in 2017 and worked in media for several years before following her heart and retraining as an End-of-Life and Birthing Doula. She was renting at the time, but after the pandemic, Carrie Ann’s income was no longer enough to maintain her lease.

“Rents kept going up. It was unsustainable. I ended up staying with friends and family, because I couldn’t afford to take-on another big lease.”

Last October, just before her 57th birthday, Carrie Ann received a call from City West Housing.

“They told me that after considering my application they were very pleased to offer me a tenancy of one of the Boronia apartments...I was thrilled!"

“I feel really secure in my new home," said Carrie Ann. "It's amazing how much lighter life feels when you are not worrying about where you will live next."

"Having a safe, affordable home where I can live long term is the perfect launchpad for a fabulous new chapter in my life.”

Carrie Ann has also become an advocate for affordable housing.

"Many people may not understand what affordable housing is," she said.

"I really want to help spread the word and educate people that it's a fantastic form of rental support.”