Relief came in small bursts for Kimberley and Ben – a motel bed after nights in the car, a phone call promising temporary shelter.
But each time, the uncertainty returned. With their baby daughter, Shakiree, in their arms, what they longed for was stability, safety, and a place to call home.
Exhausted and unsure where to turn, Kimberley rang every homelessness service she could think of, determined to find support for her family. Finally, they were offered a short motel stay.
The motel was far from the safe haven they needed. The space was cramped, noisy and unsettling. Kimberley feared for her daughter and found little rest.
“It was not the right place for any mum with a little baby,” she says.
Even so, Kimberley held on to hope for something better. That chance came when they were offered a place at Kurlana Tampawardli (KT).
The program – whose name means ‘new house on the plains’ in Kaurna – provides crisis accommodation for people visiting Adelaide from regional and remote communities.
Through culturally safe support, the KT team helps families transition into long-term housing, or return safely to Country if they wish.
From the moment Kimberley and Ben arrived, the sense of relief was immediate. KT wasn’t just a roof over their heads – it was a place where they were welcomed as a family.
Workers greeted them warmly, understood their situation and embraced them without judgement.
“The people here understand… they meet you at your level,” Kimberley says.
For the first time in months, they felt like they could breathe again.
While they continued their search for a rental property, Kimberley and Ben knew they had people behind them. KT’s support went further than housing – helping with furniture, dental care and even grocery budgeting.
Still, time was limited. KT is a 12-week program, with staff working closely alongside families to find a home within that window. Motivated by their daughter’s need for stability, Ben and Kimberley viewed properties, gathered paperwork and kept hope alive despite the fierce competition for housing.
Then came the call they’d been waiting for: they had been approved for a house.
“We just got the news... I'm so happy! I can't wait to move in.”
That piece of paper – a lease in their name – felt like a new dawn. For Ben, it was the first time in almost a year that the cycle of worry began to lift. With stable accommodation on the horizon, he could focus more fully on work, and the family could plan a future for Shakiree.
Both parents say KT’s family focused approach has been central to their journey. Kimberley is Aboriginal, but KT welcomed Ben too, ensuring the family stayed together.
“They are very family-orientated… it’s not just about housing, but also about the emotional part of it,” Ben says.
KT’s community spirit also meant they weren’t alone. They formed friendships with other residents and staff, celebrating small milestones together.
Little Shakiree quickly became a favourite, bringing smiles to neighbours who were also working towards secure housing.
Now, as they prepare to move into their new home, Ben and Kimberley feel optimistic about the future. Their journey – from nights in a car, to weeks in a motel, to finally finding a home – has given them a renewed sense of purpose.
They know all too well how isolating homelessness can be. That’s why they’re eager to share their story – to encourage others to reach out for help and to show how KT can be a genuine pathway to long-term stability and community.
For Ben and Kimberley, their new home on the plains is more than just a building – it’s a reminder of what’s possible when people feel supported and families can stay together.
With the keys to their own front door almost in hand, they’re ready for a new chapter.
“It feels like we have found the light and just need to move into it now.”
