At 33 years old, Sarah never imagined she would be preparing for the birth of her first child while living in her car.

After more than a decade working in community services, Sarah suddenly found herself without a job, without enough income to cover rising costs, and without a home. Following eight years in the same private rental, she could no longer afford to stay. Centrelink payments simply weren’t enough to keep up with the realities of Melbourne’s housing market.

Pregnant, experiencing severe morning sickness, and facing a high-risk pregnancy, Sarah spent her nights searching for safe places to park. Her belongings filled the boot of her car. Some nights she was able to pet-sit or stay temporarily with friends, but most nights she slept alone, heavily pregnant, wondering how she would bring a baby into the world without a stable home.

Everything began to change when Sarah found our service through an online search for pregnancy and housing support.

Within weeks, our team provided material aid for her unborn baby and connected her with housing pathways that could offer longer-term stability. Lucy worked alongside Sarah, providing practical support, advocacy, and a warm referral to Unison Housing. Within a short time, Sarah had secured a housing inspection and a pathway toward safe accommodation.

For Sarah, the support was about more than housing.

“It was the passion and genuine care,” that was amazing.” she said.

Today, Sarah is preparing to welcome her baby with renewed hope and the prospect of secure housing. Her journey is a powerful reminder that homelessness can happen to anyone, and that timely support can change the trajectory of two lives at once.