Medina home brings happy relief

For the first time in almost two years Mervyn York can relax in the comfort of his own home.

The 67-year-old pensioner was left homeless after his roommates did not pay their share in rent for more than a month, while he was in hospital having two toes removed as a result of diabetes.

Not wanting to be a burden on his family and failing to find affordable accommodation, Mr York resorted to living in his car.

For more than a year Mr York had little sleep, struggled to keep his health in check, was on the move daily to avoid move-on notices from City rangers, and burdened by a constant sense of worry.

"It wasn't good for my health, my diabetes was going crazy, my legs were aching, and things (sores) weren't healing properly," he said.

Now, looking around his Medina unit, Mr York said he never thought he would see the day he would have a roof over his head again.

"I thought, 'I'm going to be like this for the rest of my life'," he said.

With the help of homeless person advocate Keven Kerrison, Mr York was able to make connections with Aboriginal health service Babbingur Mia and housing service Noongar Mia Mia who have helped him get back on his feet and secure an affordable home.

"Wonderful people the Mia Mia people, they have really looked after me," Mr York said.

Since coming off the streets Mr York said he had seen improvements in his physical and mental health.

"My sugar levels have stabilised and I feel a lot better being able to have a hot shower when I want," he said.

Mr Kerrison, a Port Kennedy resident who switched from a life in construction to study community services, said he met Mr York after seeing his story in the _Telegraph _ and tracked him down.

"Mervyn is my first advocacy case and all I did was find places for him to get help and go along with him and speak for him," he said.

Mr Kerrison said he would continue to do what he could for people strugg- ling in Rockingham and Kwinana.

"If enough people plant an acorn eventually an oak tree will grow, that's my philosophy," he said.