Somewhere safe to rest and recover
At NCHA, we believe that everyone deserves a safe, secure place to call home. As we mark World Homelessness Day (on 10 October), Tanya’s story is a powerful reminder of just how life-changing ‘home’ can be.
Tanya is only in her twenties, but has experienced homelessness multiple times. After family arguments and an abusive relationship, she found herself moving from place to place. One flat was so mould-ridden, it was condemned.
At her lowest point she found herself pregnant and in temporary hotel accommodation. She explains:
“Every day we had to pack up and leave by 11am, then sit on the street with all our belongings until we were told where we could check in next. I was pregnant. It was exhausting.”
Hotel stays might sound comfortable, but Tanya describes the reality - no cooking or laundry facilities, no stability. She spent a fortune on takeaway food: “There’s only so many instant noodles a person can eat! I’m not sure I’ll be able to eat them again.”
Eventually, she was placed in a mother and baby unit, where she found more security and started planning for the future. But tragedy struck when Tanya went into early labour and sadly lost her baby at 22 weeks.
A call that changed everything
It was while she was still in hospital, grieving and facing homelessness again, that she got the call that changed everything.
“Maxine from the Lettings team at NCHA called to offer me a flat I’d applied for. She made sure the keys were ready so I could move in straight from hospital. It made the world of difference; I had somewhere safe to go, to rest and recover.”
After months in hotel and temporary accommodation, Tanya finally has a place to call home.
“I love my new estate in Newark. It really feels like a community. I feel safe. The neighbours are lovely. We can make a new start here.”
Tanya’s story is one of resilience, but also a stark reflection of the housing crisis so many face.
“In the time I was homeless, I met so many people like me, just desperate to be given a chance. Housing associations like NCHA are the only way out for so many. I’m so grateful. I genuinely don’t know where I’d be without Maxine. NCHA saved my life.”
At NCHA, we’re proud to support people like Tanya every day - helping them find not just housing, but hope.
Our commitment to preventing homelessness
NCHA is part of Homes for Cathy, a national group of housing associations and homelessness charities working together to end homelessness.
Read more about our Homes for Cathy commitments.
