I know what it’s like to be without a home, and I feel deeply for those who still face that struggle.”

Saman was born in Tehran, Iran, in December 1991, during a time of great political and social turmoil. Growing up in a family marked by contrasting backgrounds—his mother from a wealthy family, his father from a poor, educated background—he experienced a childhood filled with both love and tension. The war-torn country, once vibrant, had fallen into disarray, and Saman felt trapped in a system of fear and conflict.

“When I was a child, Iran felt like a tiger—strong and proud—but now, it’s like a scared cat, stuck in fear and destruction,” Saman reflects.

Seeking a better future, he left Iran, eventually arriving in New Zealand as a refugee.

The transition to New Zealand was challenging. Saman spent nearly a year in a refugee camp, struggling with homesickness, isolation, and the difficulty of adjusting to a new language and culture.

“I was locked away in a room with one window, feeling like a prisoner. But I had a social worker who helped me navigate the system and protect my rights,” he recalls.

After his case was processed, Saman found a room with an Iranian family, who sponsored him so he could move out of the refugee camp and live freely in New Zealand.  He began working, learning, and slowly building a new life, though his legal status remained uncertain.

Saman’s life changed dramatically when he moved into a Home in Place apartment. The affordable, secure housing provided him with the stability he had been searching for.

“The house is dry, clean, and safe—everything a person needs to feel secure. I’m so grateful for this place,” he says.

Having a roof over his head, he explains, is more than just a place to live.

“It’s the foundation of everything. Without it, you can’t move forward. I know what it’s like to be without a home, and I feel deeply for those who still face that struggle.”