Catrin(*) is in her 30s and lives on her own in a one-bedroom unit, which is small but meets her needs as someone who uses a wheelchair. Before moving into the unit, she was in emergency housing for safety from family disputes. Rent for the unit is more than Catrin can comfortably afford but it is her only option – it’s hard to find accommodation that meets her accessibility needs.      

Catrin’s financial situation is difficult. She receives a disability allowance from WINZ, and any costs outside of food and rent are hard to manage. When she needed to pay for essential equipment, WINZ referred Catrin to Good Shepherd to be assessed for a no-interest loan.  

The battery of Catrin’s motorised wheelchair had given up. Trips she could usually manage on her own needed to be replaced by expensive taxis. She was also relying on friends and family for transport to her volunteer work. An affordability assessment showed Catrin wouldn’t be able to keep up with loan repayments. The Good Shepherd team helped Catrin apply for a relief grant to cover the cost of a new battery for her chair.     

With her motor chair back in working order, Catrin can connect with her community, attend appointments and continue her volunteer and street appeal work. The grant also paid for a microwave and some storage containers to help Catrin live in her one-room unit with more comfort and independence.  

*name has been changed