Emma is one of our Resonance Everyone In Fund’s tenants. She has been living in her new home for two years now and is supported by the fund’s housing partner, social justice charity, Nacro. She is one of fifty-three tenants housed by the fund, all of whom have experienced homelessness – many have slept rough in the past - and many of whom have significant and complex health needs. Emma has physical disabilities mobility issues and, in the past, substance dependency.
In her own words below, Emma has generously shared with us her experiences of homelessness and how this affected her both physically and mentally.
“I was born in London in 1971 and was put into foster care. When I was eleven, I moved to Frinton and grew up there until I was twenty-eight. Then I came back to London in 1999 to meet my mother. I was initially homeless and then lived in a number of temporary accommodations, mainly in Newham, East London.
Between 2017 and 2021, I was relocated to Haringey. I first stayed in a female-only hostel for a year before being assigned to a one-bed flat. During the summer of 2021, because my physical conditions deteriorated, living on an upper floor was no longer suitable to me, therefore I was nominated, through St. Mungo's/ Clearing House, for a ground floor flat. That was when I met Nacro for the first time, and in September 2021 I moved into my new flat in Newham.
My last accommodation was no longer suitable for me because it was a third-floor flat with no lift. I got to the point where I was not able to leave my flat for days because climbing the stairs was just too much for me, particularly during periods of exacerbation of my back pain and mobility difficulties. Also, I really wanted to come back to East London to be closer to my mum and my long-standing relationships.
I have struggled with drug use over the years and the location of my last flat meant I was surrounded by other tenants who were still using drugs, which impacted on my ability at times to remain drug-free.
Being on the ground floor in my new flat definitely improves my day-to-day life and gives me more chances to access the local community. Being closer to my mum has really helped me as I was very isolated in my previous tenancy. When I had a relapse due to the death of a friend, I was able to manage the lapse without it becoming problematic.
Without this flat, I would have still been living in Haringey, stuck on the third floor. I recently had surgery and my mobility, already compromised, deteriorated further. No way I was still able to live up there.
Knowing that I have a minimum of a two-year tenancy at my flat has meant I have been able to decorate and make this place more of a home. Being back in Newham is giving me the opportunity to try and access the social housing list so that I can plan for the future. I have also been able to better engage with the hospital and doctors.
I feel proud that I redecorated the flat according to my own tastes and artistic inclinations. Better living conditions also boosted my ability to manage my addiction and I am proud I didn't have any episode of relapse since November 2021.
I am happy. Danilo is my support worker and over the time we have built a positive and professional relationship. I know he does his best to help and support me and I think he and Nacro have been very helpful. And being in Newham also means my mum can help me a bit more than the past.
For the future, my plan is to remain in Newham and find suitable longer-term accommodation that can respond to my physical needs. I would like to do more art and maybe, if I'm physically able, to attend a college course.
My biggest concern about my future is about my health conditions. I really want to be able again to walk and move around properly and recover from my physical struggles. I know it will be a long and difficult process. It has also been difficult keeping on top of the bills with cost of electricity and gas soaring, however with my mum and Danilo's help I have kept to my budgeting plan.”
Read more about the Resonance Everyone In Fund, in our latest Homelessness Property Fund’s Social Impact Report 2022/23 here, and the significant impacts the fund is already having on tenants, including:
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Resonance Limited is a company registered in England and Wales no. 04418625
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