“I never truly understood the meaning of having my own place. A place of family, joy and happiness.”

In her own words, below, Kim* tells us about the circumstances that led to her experiences of homelessness and addiction and the difference her new home is already making to her life.

Kim is being housed by Response, one of Resonance’s National Homelessness Property Fund 2 housing partners, based in Oxford. The fund is purchasing and refurbishing a mix of one-bed and housing of multiple occupany properties for Response so that stable and affordable homes can be provided for people living locally who are experiencing homelessness.

This is Kim’s story.

“I was born, and initially raised, in Ireland to a big family with my mum, dad and siblings. There was abuse in the home and that carried on throughout my early childhood. Due to the abuse myself and my siblings faced, we were placed in care. I was on my own and lost contact with my brothers and sisters. Growing up in care was hard, not knowing how long I was going to stay in each place. I moved many times whilst in foster care and had to change schools constantly. This really affected my education and I felt lost. I

I was pregnant at sixteen with my first daughter and had to drop out of school, with no qualifications, to care for her. I didn’t work until my daughter was old enough to start school - I tried a few jobs but they never lasted.

I would always leave and never stuck it out. I had grown up without other people around me, so I didn’t know how to be around others, I found that really hard. My self-worth was on the floor, and I would constantly tell myself 'You’re not good enough, look at you, what are you doing here?'. I felt like no one wanted me so I would end up leaving without a word before they got rid of me.”

Before moving into her new home, Kim had been living in London for many years, including time spent in prison.

“I was living in London in supported housing for vulnerable woman with drug and alcohol issues. I lived there for five years before moving to Oxford to be closer to my family. I was struggling in London even though I’d lived there for many years, I felt so isolated and disconnected from everyone. I found it really difficult to connect with other people and make friends. Even though I had come out of addiction, I still felt bits of me were still missing. The loneliness and low self-worth, just kept passing through me. When I came to Oxford to see my family, I felt like I belonged somewhere.

I had served a long sentence in prison and gone through the 12 Step Recovery Programme. Overcoming my addiction was hard but I was so determined to have a different life. A life worth living.”

Kim was supported by Response to move into her new home.

“I was so nervous at first, then excited, then a little sad. In the back of my mind was a little voice saying ‘You don’t deserve this’.

I never truly understood the meaning of having my own place. A place of family, joy and happiness. Response has given me a home with a new beginning and new memories. Having a home is the best feeling ever, I have a safe, secure home where I feel protected. A home I can come back to every day, a home where I can just be me.

My new home is so beautiful, it has large open living room and kitchen. The bedroom has patio doors leading to the back garden. A place my grandchildren can play, its nicely decorated and clean. Most importantly it’s safe and warm. A place where I feel I belong.

It’s the perfect location as it’s only five minutes away from everyone I know. Especially my mum. I see her most days and just having her so close is fantastic. I am so near to all the shops and my daughter is only one hour’s drive away. All of my family live in and around Oxford and I love that I am only a short drive from everyone.

The benefit of being part of the community means I can socialise with other people and make new friendships. Being around others is key to my accountability and keeps me on my sobriety path. I have a sense of belonging and feel supported. I know my neighbours fairly well and have made many friends.”

Kim’s new home is making a difference to her life.

“Having a stable home means the world to me as I feel secure and have a sense of belonging. A home for my children, grandchildren and family to visit and feel proud of. It means a new beginning and creating new memories.

If I didn’t have this home, I would be living on the streets. My life would be non-existent. Going back to my old ways of trying to survive, trying to make it through the day. Causing harm to myself and others around me. Falling deeper into loneliness and darkness.

Likely ending back in prison with the same cycle of being on the streets, then prison. Without this home I would be on the streets or in prison serving a long sentence, in deep addiction, or dead.”

Kim receives support from Response, helping her to settle into her home, to start her recovery and to start making plans for her future.

“It is very important for me to receive support from Response. Response offers a strong support system. They are caring and compassionate, they help me cope with my emotions and experiences, they make me feel like I am not alone. I know I can reach out to them when I am in need and feel reassured and heard.”

My plan for the future? Wow, to think I can now say that, as before I never thought I had one. I would like to volunteer so I can eventually go into full time work. I have a positive future ahead, anything is possible.

Right now, I feel safe, and I don’t have to worry about where I will be sleeping from night to night. My home gives me a sense of control and purpose. I can see a future now I have a home, something I could never see before.

I do worry about the cost of living, especially when I go into working full time. But I know with Response’s help I can understand my choices and make the right decisions.

The message I have for others’ living similarly to how I did is to never give up, no matter how hard things might be. Living a life in addiction is much harder. If you want to change the life you are living, then you have to make the choice to change it. Many doors closed for me, but I pushed through by taking that step. Even when I didn’t know what would happen, I knew in my heart I didn’t want that life anymore. By not allowing fear to overcome me, I am here today.

You are a person who deserves so much more of life where happiness and love is possible.”

About National Homelessness Property Fund 2

This fund was created in December 2020 in response to the growing need for affordable housing, providing safe and decent homes for people in housing crisis. Initially, the fund’s focus was on providing homes in the Greater Manchester region but has since expanded into Bristol, Oxford, Merseyside, London and Gloucestershire

As of December 2024, the fund has 365 properties in its portfolio and has housed 500 people across the UK.

FIND OUT MORE ABOUT NATIONAL HOMELESSNESS PROPERTY FUND 2 HERE.

*Name changed