Then help arrived in the form of Tē Tuinga Whānau Support Services Trust.
The trust then met with Paddy, showed him a unit on Waihi Rd in Tauranga and he moved in the next day.
He hasn't worked for four years after four operations on his knees as well as issues with his shoulder and persistent pain in his hip, which still has a pin in it.
Paddy was assigned to social worker Peter Williams when he became a client at the motel and Williams helped get his life on track.
"Last week they showed me this amazing place ... I didn't think they were actually going to give it to me."
Tē Tuinga Whānau Support Services Trust social worker Peter Williams. Photo / George Novak
The first night in his new home was the best night's sleep he's had in more than a year.
"I want to thank everyone for getting me here, it's changed my life. It's everything," he said.
"Having a home for the first time in your life, and furniture. You don't have to worry about finding money for this and that.
"It's home. It still hasn't sunk in."
Paddy chose the first of the two bedrooms as his own because he could see the street and is planning to put up lace curtains when he's able to get to the op shop.
The other room will be used for guests, like his brother, daughter, nephews and nieces he was already excited about having around.
He walked slowly and talked in awe about the house: the "massive" lounge with the most comfortable double couch he's ever sat on, with a TV where he knows he'll be spending some time watching Coronation Street.
About the heat pump that heats up the room in five minutes.
Paddy's home was filled with donations from the public. Photo / George Novak
About the kitchen with a slow cooker, microwave and boxes filled with food and crockery yet to be unpacked.
The house had everything he needed - all items were donations, from the public to Tē Tuinga Whānau Support Services Trust and St Vincent de Paul.
There's a ramp out to the backyard which made it easier for him to get outside.
He toyed with the idea of a vege garden but a house plant was more likely, given the issues he had with his knees and hips.
The next chapter of his life is "sunny" with the beach nearby and his fishing rod ready to go.
Paddy also hoped to get a mobility scooter to gain more independence, as at present he only really left home once a fortnight for groceries if someone picked him up, due to his walking issues.
Social worker Williams said he was "in tears" when he heard there was a home for Paddy.
"It's a place for him to call home at last."
The Paddy he met one year ago was almost a different person.
"His self-esteem has lifted ... he's smartened himself up, he's happier and he doesn't stay in bed all day."
The team will touch base with Paddy once a week for three months to make sure everything is going well and he gets to his health appointments. After this time, his case will be closed.
Williams put the application in for Paddy three weeks ago to Accessible Properties and said the unit was everything he asked for.
Paddy is already planning a trip to the op shop for some lace curtains for the room. Photo / George Novak
Williams said the price of housing is the biggest barrier for their clients, with social workers liaising closely with those in the motels at least once a week.
As well as helping them find somewhere to live, they worked on other issues keeping people out of housing, including finances and health issues.
Williams has been with the trust for five years and said moments like getting Paddy into a house were what he loved about his job.
