Single mum, Ainsleigh Ross, days away from homelessness and battling against dual-income families and failed applications

After being unsuccessful with more than 30 rental applications in a matter of weeks, this Gladstone mother is just one of hundreds of Central Queenslanders at the forefront of a rental crisis. Here’s her story.

A Gladstone single mother was days away from having nowhere to live, and despite lodging more than 30 rental applications, it was someone she knew by chance who opened the door for her.

Amid Gladstone’s extremely low 1.2 per cent vacancy rate, Ainsleigh Ross’ despair for her family’s wellbeing grew with each rejected application.

Ms Ross works full-time at a motorcycle dealership in Gladstone to support her three-year old son, Ryker, two younger sisters, and a niece.

Three-year-old, Ryker, in the backyard of his new home with mum, Ainsleigh Ross, of Gladstone. Picture: Nilsson Jones

Just eight weeks ago, Ms Ross was told she would have to leave her home of almost two-and-a-half years as the owners announced their intention to sell.

As her exit date drew near, and the pile of more than 30 rejected applications mounted higher, she knew her tactics had to change.

Ms Ross’ anxiety grew as she faced the humiliation of attending inspections hosted by the same real estate agents who had rejected previous applications while touring homes alongside dual-income families she feared would be viewed as more suitable candidates.

“I think the dual income was a big set back because when there are so many applicants and so few homes the landlords can be picky and just prefer two incomes,” Ms Ross said.

Just some of the rejected application messages littered with the words “unfortunately” and “unsuccessful Ms Ross received. Picture: Ainsleigh Ross

“When it’s not just yourself but you’ve also got your family, you really start to think how am I going to house two adults and three kids with nowhere to go,” she said.

“I was either going to be squatting, living in a tent in my friend’s backyard, or crashing in a friend’s loungeroom … I had no idea what I was going to do and was completely lost.”

With weeks until her exit date, Ms Ross took to social media requesting help as well as documenting how much effort she was making to find a home.

She even reached out to her real estate agency to request a short-term extension of two weeks, then one week, and in the end she was given an extra two days.

Ainsleigh Ross and son Ryker, 3 have now found a home in Gladstone following the desperate search. Picture: Nilsson Jones

Real Estate Institute of Queensland CEO Antonia Mercorella recently told The Courier Mail that rental vacancy rates were “historically low” across the state following interstate arrivals, the pandemic, and recent floods.

“To put this into perspective, the REIQ classifies rental markets into three categories: tight, healthy, or weak and anything between a 2.6 per cent to 3.5 per cent vacancy rate is considered a ‘healthy’ rental market, anything below 2.5 per cent is ‘tight’,” Ms Mercorella said.

“We’re experiencing the perfect storm of low housing supply levels, incredibly high interstate and intrastate migration particularly to our regions, longer length tenancies as tenants choose to stay put for greater security and certainty, and fewer co-tenancy arrangements as people want more space”, she said.

Real Estate Institute of Queensland CEO Antonia Mercorella confirmed vacancy rates were at “historic lows”. Picture: Newscorp

Ms Ross eventually secured a home for her family within days of her eviction, but not through formal rental applications - instead thanks to a customer at her work.

“He saw some of the social media posts and the trouble we had and let us know he had this property available but he needed more time to get it ready for us,” she said.

With nothing more than a two-day extension, Ms Ross and her family moved into the house with plenty of work still to be done on the property, but she was just grateful to have a roof over her head.

“I don’t want anyone let alone me and my family to go through this, and it’s not just here, I have friends from Rockhampton who are also struggling.”