58 knock-backs and counting: How housing crisis has left mum, kids homeless

Amid a critical housing shortage we look at just how hard it is for families like this Fraser Coast mum and her kids to get a roof over their heads in one of the toughest times in the region’s history.

A Hervey Bay mum has spoken of how the city’s historic housing shortage is impacting families like hers.

It comes as the rental vacancy rate remains at less than one per cent and the region’s leaders hold crisis talks.

With her furniture in storage at a friend’s shed and their clothing and bikes packed into their car, single mum Zoe McPherson and her young children have been reduced to living day to day and couch-surfing as they struggle to compete in the rental race.

In March this year, Zoe received a letter stating she was being evicted on no grounds – something which is becoming increasingly common as homeowners move back into investment properties and the majority of homes being sold on the Coast are owner-occupier and being taken out of the rental pool.

Forced to leave the rental property she had been living in for two years, she had no idea what to do.

Zoe fears her family may end up living in her old Kia if they can’t find stable accommodation soon.

Zoe McPherson has two young children, and nowhere to live. Picture: Isabella Magee

After applying for “so many properties” and getting 58 rejections back) (this was just from those even who replied to her) Zoe, and her boys, aged 3 and 7, were suddenly without shelter, security, or somewhere to call ‘home’.

“I wasn‘t behind on rent or anything, I’ve never done anything wrong,” Zoe says.

However, this and a stable income wasn’t enough to secure a home.

Zoe and her children have been flicking through AirBnBs, but that costly option would only last so long – “I can‘t even afford them,” she says.

Beyond having nowhere to live, Zoe tells the Chronicle she worries how being homeless is affecting her 7-year-old son.

“Even after the school holidays, he said: ‘Oh, do I have to move schools?’ … I think he‘s sort of lost the idea of stability and started stressing more about (me) … we've all been stressing,” Zoe says.

Picture: Isabella Magee

Walking along the Esplanade, Zoe told the Chronicle she really “doesn’t know” what’s next.

“I know people have been hocking for food.

“It's too cold to camp with little kids.”

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