Brenda* is a superannuant in her late 70’s, living on her own with no close family or support nearby. She is struggling to keep up with her mortgage rates, insurance and everyday expenses – and has limited income left beyond that.

Then her septic system failed. Sewerage began spilling over her property, requiring urgent repairs. The $3,640 cost was beyond what she could afford. The situation was deeply distressing, threatening her ability to stay safe and secure in her home. With no way to cover the cost, she felt completely stuck, and the stress of dealing with it alone was taking an emotional toll on her health.

Brenda reached out to several organisations for help, as well as exploring whether her mortgage could be topped up to cover the repairs. But her income simply couldn’t support it, and none of her other enquiries led anywhere. Then she was referred to Good Shepherd NZ.

Our team assessed her situation and talked Brenda through what options were best for her. With a loan not affordable, a special type of grant was arranged to cover the full cost of the plumbing repairs, restoring her home to a safe, liveable condition.

With the repairs completed, Brenda was able to move forward with confidence. Her age and health prompted her to consider her next life move, potentially into residential care. Shoring up her most important financial asset has given her freedom to plan her future in the way that works best for her.

* name has been changed