Kingaroy grandmother left homeless by rental crisis

Two South Burnett women - one a mother, one a grandmother - reveal the bleak situation they have endured and continue to face after becoming victims of the rental crisis that continues to tear families in the region apart.

A Kingaroy grandmother, who asked to not be named, said she had reached breaking point in the rental crisis as her health deteriorates.

She and her two granddaughters, for whom she cared for full-time, were given a two-week eviction notice by their landlord and have been without a place to call home since June.

Her granddaughters, ages three and six, returned to their mother who she said was not a safe guardian.

While homeless, she has relentlessly applied for properties only to be met with rejection.

“It’s a very unfair rental world out there. I was always 3-5 weeks in advance with my rent,” she said.

She said the rental market was discriminating against families and prefered singles or couples as tenants.

“It is a very sad and unfair world that we live in; sadly it’s getting much worse,” she said.

She was taken into hospital on Sunday with a stress related heart condition.

“Losing my home, two granddaughters and sitting here in hospital, I have a severe want not to be here anymore,” she said.

“For people like me, our mental health has drastically dipped and we keep trying to keep our composure strength to be continuously knocked back again and again.”

A homeless Kingaroy grandmother has been hospitalised over her stress related heart condition.

She said she had temporarily given up searching for a property as her depression and anxiety around the issue had become too overwhelming.

Nanango MP Deb Frecklington said it would take 25 years for the State Government to deliver funds that were promised to house the most vulnerable Queenslanders.

“They confirmed only $40 million of the government’s promised $1 billion fund for social housing will be spent each year, which means it will be nearly 2050 before the commitment is delivered,” she said.

“At a State Government level, the LNP Opposition will continue to highlight how this housing crisis is affecting the regions, and we have called on the Labor Government to hold a Housing Crisis Summit.”

A homeless Kingaroy mother of five, who also did not wish to be named, said she had had suicidal thoughts, and had contemplated suicide as a last attempt to get her family the support they need.

“I was thinking that if I killed myself that someone would help my family,” she said.

“I feel like this is all my fault and my family don't deserve this. I’m so broken inside,” she said.

File photo of a woman holding a child. A Kingaroy grandmother, who asked to not be named, said she had reached breaking point in the rental crisis as her health deteriorates.

Her children have been staying with different family members temporarily, but she said moving from place to place proved to be too challenging given the size of her family and the fact most of her family live in small town houses.

Tenants Queensland CEO Penny Carr said this issue used to only impact people of the lowest incomes but was now affecting families with double incomes.

She said some areas of Queensland have seen a 20 per cent increases in rent over the past 12 months.

“What we have seen more of recently is significant rent increases and notice to leave without grounds,” she said.

Mrs Carr said landlords were selling their properties at the height of the market to capitalise on their investment.

“Renters don’t currently have the power to speak up because they’re fearful of losing their property,” she said.

Tenants Queensland represent the concerns of all Queensland tenants who live in rental accomodation, including caravan park and boarding house residents.

They are available Monday - Friday, 9am - 5pm on 1300 744 263

If you are thinking about suicide or experiencing emotional distress, help is available.

Please contact Lifeline on 13 11 14.