Pictured: Pacific Link Housing CEO Ian Lynch, Coast Shelter CEO Alicia Pigot, Filmmaker Christopher Ireland, The 2 Way Street participant Jan Allen and Tiny Homes Foundation CEO David Wooldridge
Three Central Coast community housing tenants have shared their stories in The 2 Way Street, a series of short documentary films about secure housing, support and giving back.
A secure home can change one life, but the benefits often reach much further.
Led by Tiny Homes Foundation, the project was created with one of Australia’s leading filmmakers Christopher Ireland and supported by Pacific Link Housing. It shares the experiences of tenants Crystal, Joel and Jan while showing the wider value of community housing.
In the films, Crystal and Joel share their experience of raising a family through difficult circumstances, while Jan speaks about unexpectedly finding herself homeless at almost 80 years of age. Each has since drawn on their own experience to help others through volunteering, advocacy and community support.
The films premiered on Wednesday 29 July at the University of Newcastle’s Gosford Campus, at an event hosted by ABC Central Coast presenter Scott Levi.
The Tiny Homes Foundation develops small-scale housing solutions for people at risk of homelessness and works with partners to build understanding of the need for safe, secure and affordable housing. Its work also includes employment training, community education and advocacy.
Tiny Homes Foundation CEO David Wooldridge said the project aimed to broaden the conversation about social and community housing.
“Safe, stable, secure community housing not only benefits the recipient it benefits everyone. We often talk about the number of homes needed, but these films bring the conversation back to people and the valuable contributions they make to their communities. We thank everyone involved in the project and Central Coast Council for providing the funding that helped make it possible.”
Pacific Link Housing CEO Ian Lynch said the films allowed people to hear directly from those with lived experience.
“Sharing personal experiences like these takes courage. These films show that people who receive support often go on to support others. A secure home can give someone the dignity, pride and stability to move forward and make a difference in other people’s lives.”
Filmmaker Christopher Ireland said it was a privilege to spend time with Crystal, Joel and Jan and hear their stories in their own words.
“I hope these films challenge assumptions, so that people come in with one understanding of homelessness – even from a sympathetic point of view about what community housing and housing support can bring to people – and hopefully they can leave with a few ideas and feel really inspired about more ways safe secure (even Tiny) homes help address homelessness.”
