University of Canberra first year undergraduate student Casey Heffernan at home at Our Place, a housing complex for students operated by Anglicare in Braddon that provides rebated rent.

Casey Heffernan was at risk of homelessness but is now grateful to be in safe, secure housing. Photo: Jeffrey Chan



A year ago, Casey Heffernan was struggling to keep a roof over her head. The 18-year-old was on her own after a family breakdown and having to fend for herself as she tried to complete her studies.


''Housing was so expensive - I was working so much that I could barely get to school,'' she said. ''I couch surfed for a bit, then boarded at different places for a while.''


It wasn't until she turned to community organisations for help that Ms Heffernan found Our Place, a housing project run by Anglicare and Barnardo's.


She said she has been in the safe, secure housing - provided for students at risk of homelessness - for almost a year and pays 25 per cent of her income on rent.


''If it wasn't for these people, I would have been living on the street,'' she said. ''It's meant I've been able to get to school.''


Ms Heffernan finished her year 12 certificate with the support of Our Place last year and is now a science and politics student at the University of Canberra.