In his year from hell, Brendon lost his house, car and job – and his family has been homeless ever since.
It all began in 2023 when Brendon said his family had to move out of their rental, kicking off a series of unfortunate events.
“The landlord got sick with cancer and needed to move in,” Brendon told ABC Radio Perth.
“We had three months to find a new place and went to so many home opens but couldn’t get anything.”
Brendon lost his home, car and job in the space of a year. (ABC News: Rachel Stowers )
The next cruel twist came when a tree fell on his car in what Brendon said was a freak accident.
The loss of the family car was devastating – Brendon needed it for his job as a roof tiler.
He was let go – and to add even further pressure, his partner Carmen was battling health issues.
“Carmen had another seizure. It can happen at any time,” he said.
We’re always on edge and being in this homelessness situation, it’s putting more stress on Carmen and that’s what’s causing the seizures.”
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The pair, and their two teenage sons, have been couch surfing, sleeping rough and spending time in short-stay hotel rooms ever since.
“We’re on a priority housing list, which has a two year wait. We are still trying to get housing. It’s just hard.
“So, managing that, the boys not knowing where we’re going from night to night, week to week kind of thing. It’s just so hard.”
Brendon said he had always worked hard to provide for his family.
“I’ve always worked, I’ve never even had Centrelink, I’ve always had a job,” he said.
The car boot was filled with food from ABC Perth’s ‘Breakfast Blitz’ campaign with Uniting WA. (ABC News: Rachel Stowers )
“I had a little bit of savings, not much.”
Exceptional generosity
Brendon told his story to ABC Radio Perth as part of its Breakfast Blitz campaign, which is partnering with Uniting WA to donate non-perishable food items to rough sleepers.
ABC listener Heather said she was touched by his story and wanted to help.
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“I’ve been in a position similar to yours and I’ve only got a home because of the help of people around me,” she said.
“I’m just passing it forward to you and I really wish you and your family the best.
“I heard your story, and I just thought that you’re a person who wants to work.
“I thought this car that I was about to put online to sell would really help you get your job back and get on your feet again.”
Sure enough – the well-maintained station wagon was waiting downstairs at the ABC’s East Perth studio’s for Brendon on Friday morning.
An emotional Brendon thanked Heather for her act of kindness.
“It means the world to me. This is going to be a really big boost and a big push in the right direction,” he said.
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“The roof racks and a towbar are going to be ideal for work, and I can get straight onto that. Thank you so very much from the bottom of my heart.”
Uniting WA has taken care of the insurance and registration costs, the wagon has been filled with non-perishable breakfast items, and Heather handed over the car with a full tank of petrol.
“You just make sure you look after that family of yours. It’s a good car, it’s reliable, I hope it serves you well,” she said.
Avalanche of demand
The act of generosity comes amid an avalanche of people needing help with housing and cost of living.
Each morning, up to 300 rough sleepers’ queue outside Uniting WA’s Tranby Engagement Hub in Northbridge, hoping to access what might be their only meal for the day.
Volunteers say they rely on donations of cereal, oats, tea and coffee to serve breakfast to as many people as possible, but they say the need is continuing to grow.
Rough sleepers in the city rely on Tranby’s services for what may be their only meal of the day. (ABC News: Keane Bourke)
“A good society is one that looks after people that have less than they do,” Tranby volunteer and retired teacher Kate said.
“If at the grassroots, we can bring in that packet of [cereal] or work a shift a month, then everybody is contributing.”
Editor’s note: The people interviewed did not want their surnames published.
The Breakfast Blitz ends on Friday, August 15 with a live broadcast from the ABC studios in East Perth. For details on how you can donate breakfast items or attend the live broadcast, click here.
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