For older South Australians living on the Age Pension, an affordable, secure home can make a difference in ways that extend far beyond having a roof over their heads.
It can mean peace of mind after years of housing uncertainty, financial breathing room to afford everyday needs, and the freedom to enjoy life without constantly worrying about where they will live.
For Cottage Homes residents Michael and his neighbour at Mitcham, and Denise at Findon, having a place to call home has brought welcome changes to their lives.
Michael: Finding peace of mind at Mitcham
For Michael, who moved into Cottage Homes Mitcham just over a year ago, having a secure home means knowing he won’t have to face another unexpected move.
Having lived in various locations across Adelaide, including Glenelg and the CBD, Michael experienced considerable housing uncertainty before finding Cottage Homes.
He had lived in one property for 16 years before it closed for renovations, forcing him to move. He subsequently moved into a retirement village, only to face another unexpected upheaval when that accommodation also closed.
This time, Michael was given just six weeks’ notice to find somewhere else to live. With private rental costs beyond what he could afford on the Age Pension, his options were limited.
Fortunately, a Cottage Homes unit became available in the final week before he was due to leave.
After experiencing the stress of having to relocate twice through circumstances beyond his control, Michael was enormously relieved to find somewhere affordable and secure where he could settle.
He describes Cottage Homes Mitcham as the best place he has lived, appreciating both the neighbourhood and the people around him.
These days, rather than worrying about where he might have to move next, Michael is enjoying taking each day as it comes. He particularly enjoys getting out on his gopher and exploring the tree-lined streets of Mitcham. “When the sun’s out, I’m out,” he says.
It’s a simple pleasure, but one Michael can now enjoy with the peace of mind that comes from having a secure place to call home.
The freedom that comes with housing security
For another resident at Cottage Homes Mitcham, the experience of finding secure, affordable accommodation has been similarly life-changing.
Before moving to Cottage Homes three years ago, their previous private rental had become unaffordable.
They know firsthand how difficult it can be for someone living on the Age Pension to find suitable accommodation in the private rental market, particularly with rental costs rising and fewer affordable properties available.
Having a home where the rent is manageable has taken away a significant source of worry. They describe the affordable rent at Cottage Homes as an “incredible bonus”, but the benefits go well beyond the financial savings.
With the uncertainty of housing no longer hanging over them, they have been able to continue enjoying more of the activities that are important in their life. Their home is quiet and conveniently located for their interests, including volunteering and art.
It’s also given them a sense of stability that they don’t take for granted, particularly knowing that other older Australians are experiencing homelessness or struggling to find affordable accommodation.
After three years at Mitcham, they remain incredibly grateful for the security of their home and the opportunities it gives them to enjoy everyday life.
Denise: Financial freedom and looking ahead
For Denise, who moved into Cottage Homes Findon in April 2026, having an affordable home of her own has brought both immediate relief and the opportunity to make plans for the future.
Before moving to Findon, Denise had been living with family. While grateful to have somewhere to stay, she had reached a point where she really wanted her own space and somewhere she could settle. Finding suitable accommodation in the private rental market would have been extremely difficult. In particular, the large bond required to secure a private rental was simply beyond what she could afford.
When she received the call offering her a home at Cottage Homes, the relief was enormous. And when she saw her newly renovated unit, she could hardly believe it. “I was mesmerised, I couldn’t believe my good fortune,” she recalls.
Denise was delighted by the renovations and the features of her new home, including a full-sized kitchen, a lovely bathroom and plenty of wardrobe space. To her, it felt like moving into a brand-new home, without the financial burden that would have made a comparable private rental impossible.
But perhaps the biggest difference has been the financial breathing room that comes with affordable rent. Rather than stretching her pension to cover housing costs, Denise can now afford the things she needs while also putting a little money aside.
Having somewhere affordable to settle has taken a significant load off her mind, allowing her to focus on enjoying her home and the things she is looking forward to. She has filled her unit with furniture and treasured belongings collected over the years, making it a space that truly feels like her own.
Now, Denise is looking ahead to relaxing, continuing to build her savings, visiting family in South Australia and interstate, and welcoming family and friends into her new home. “It’s been a godsend,” she says. “I feel really blessed and feel like I’ve won the lottery!”
More than a place to live
While Michael, his neighbour and Denise have each arrived at Cottage Homes through different circumstances, their experiences highlight something important about the value of affordable housing.
For Michael, it has meant an end to the uncertainty of repeated moves. For his neighbour, it has provided the stability and financial freedom to continue enjoying volunteering, art and other interests. And for Denise, it has meant the opportunity to save, settle into a home of her own and look ahead with confidence.
These are the everyday differences that having an affordable, secure home can make.
At Cottage Homes, our work is about providing older South Australians living on the Age Pension with more than accommodation. It’s about creating the foundation for people to remain independent, feel secure and continue living their lives on their own terms.
Because the true value of a home is not simply the place itself, but the difference having that home makes to a life.