[Betraid]

Hi all,

My Auntie died last year and left my son (we both have mental health issues and he is IDDM) and myself a portion of her estate. I have always been stupidly anxious about being homeless - one of my biggest anxieties.. so I relinquished tenancy of my Dept of Housing (rent controlled) house and a bank gave me a mortgage and we bought a very run down house - one we could afford.

Still in a panic about being evicted I focussed on getting us moved but due to agoraphobia - this house (the rent controlled one) i've been in for 23 years and rarely gone outside, I found it difficult to actually "move".

About a week ago we got the rates/water/elect/property bills and I realised that there is no way we can actually pay off the mortgage, pay the rates and medical/medications that we are both on.

I told the Dept of Housing we were going to stay. He said we may not be eligible and the whole experience has left me exhausted and so depressed and anxious. I have no energy or support to do anything.

I spend a lot of time crying and sobbing and my son who is so supportive and we only have each other (he cant' work) has no idea what to do.

I fear we will be homeless within two months - my biggest fear and self fulfilling prophecy as it seems.

I'm in Australia and I am beside myself as to what to do. To top this off my Doctor who I have been seeing for 23 years is going on a 3 week holiday so as she is my back up psychologist since I cannot afford one I really am at a loss.

Any insights?

Thank you.

[Skeezyks]

Hello Betraid: I'm sorry you are facing this most distressing experience! Since I'm not in Australia I have no idea what, if any, options there may be for you. And, of course, I also don't know how much over-budget you are.

Here in the part of the U.S. where I live there's emphasis placed on keeping people (especially seniors & people with disabilities) in their homes. (That wouldn't necessarily be the case everywhere in the U.S. But it is where I live.) So I guess the only thing I could suggest would be to see if there are programs or services available that would make it possible for you to manage in your newly purchased home.

Another service that can be available here is help with budgeting. And there are programs & services that provide free or low cost food to people who are low income, elderly or who have disabilities. Help with paying utility bills is sometimes available. I don't have any way of knowing if any of these sorts of things are available where you live or if they could help. But it would certainly be worth delving into... especially if you find you cannot stay in your rent-controlled house.

If all of this is simply too overwhelming for you to undertake, then your first step might be to see if some organization offers assistance that can help you to figure all of it out. There again, where I live at least, these sorts of services are also sometimes available. Of course, many times, people here don't get all of the assistance they need either. But there is at least the possibility under some circumstances. Hopefully services such as these may be available where you live too.

I wish there were more I could offer with regard to your dilemma. If you were here where I live, I'd have at least a small idea of where to begin. However, Australia is completely unknown to me. Perhaps there are other Australian members, here on PC, who will yet see your post & reply with some useful suggestions. My best wishes to you...

[Rose76]

I hope you can stay in your rent controlled house. Buying a home is rarely in one's interest when one has a relatively low income. But I guess the asset you inherited affects your eligibility for a means-tested benefit (the housing subsidy.) A financial advisor might be able to help you. An inheritance is a one time, lump sum windfall. There may be a way to shelter it from being considered income and to reduce its status as an asset. You might be advised as to a "spend down" plan that possibly could achieve those things. Unfortunately, expert financial advice can be expensive.

[FlyingE]

I agree with Rose's post, and that hiring an Attorney (Barrister in your part of the world) is expensive. I'm having to hire one, and have no funds to pay.
My pdoc told me that I can find lawyers that do some pro bono cases. She said to just start calling Attorneys in my area, but not to present my case on the phone. Tell them only that "I need an Attorney, but I have no money to pay for one."
It would helpful if you start with those who specialize in the type of help that you need.

I personally have difficulty speaking with people on the phone, or face to face, but I plan on
starting to make my calls tomorrow.
I'll be thinking of you, and hope your case will be in your favor.