Clontarf family of seven living in tent as winter bites

A family of seven, including a son with special needs, has spoken out about the brutal reality of living in a tent at a Moreton park after 500 failed attempts to find a home.

Zac Dobe his wife Zion, and children Rahleigh, 9, Sonny, 7 and Zendayah, 4. Picture: Steve Pohlner

A desperate mother and father have revealed the grim reality of raising their five children in tents at a Moreton park after becoming unable to pay their rent more than three months ago.

Zac and Zion Dobe said the only small positive was that their children Rahleigh, 9, Sonny, 7, and Zendayah, 4, were unaware of their dire circumstances as they had a playground nearby where they have been playing with other children.

They have been bathing themselves, getting ready for school and doing their homework all at the Clontarf park.

But as the cold weather bites, the Dobes feared life in tents would soon become a nightmare.

They have been unable to secure public housing and have had more than 500 rejections by private landlords, mainly because of their American bulldog Buddha.

The couple said they had been advised to get rid of the dog but said that was out of the question as their son Rahleigh had autism and relied on Buddha to calm him.

■ Qld’s housing & homelessness questions answered

Zach Dobe, Zion Dobe and their five children (with child Zendayah) have been homeless since March. Picture: Steve Pohlner

Their problems began when Mr Dobe, 32, was made redundant last year.

In February the family gave up their lease, moved into their car and soon after that moved into tents.

Mr Dobe said finances became extremely tight when he was made redundant in September.

“We had to choose between food and rent. It was very hard and eventually we knew we couldn’t keep on going like that,” he said.

“We took some time to road trip down to NSW and eventually ended up back near home in Clontarf.’’

He was worried cold weather would leave his family vulnerable to colds and chest infections.

“The weather is the toughest obstacle. We have had tents snap and blow over when it has been storming or really windy,” Mr Dobe said.

Zach Dobe his wife Zion and Rahleigh, 9, Sonny, 7, Zendayah, 4. Picture: Steve Pohlner

“We’re onto our fourth tent. The cold will make it difficult for them (his family) to recover from sickness,” he said.

“We are trying to stay positive and to make it fun for the kids, who love to play around the park.

“The toilets are about 400m from our camp, so one of us has to escort the kids to the toilet in the night which is tough and the showers are freezing.

“My nine-year-old son who has autism and ADHD is prone to wandering around at night so we have to keep an eye on him.’’

Mr Dobe said his children were able to keep up with their school work by using a camping table in the afternoons, if the weather was good.

The family’s beloved support dog Buddha. Photo Steve Pohlner

“We just want shelter for our children to be able to shower and sleep safely,” Ms Dobre said.

The family has been in contact with the Queensland Housing Commission and claimed to have been told they would be given accommodation if they rehomed Buddha.

“This simply isn’t an option for us. Our little boy relies on that dog to calm his symptoms and they are best friends,” Mr Dobe said.

“They sleep together, eat their meals together and pretty much everything else.’’

Madeleine Day, a guidance officer at their son’s special school, confirmed that the dog provided significant emotional support for Rahleigh.

“Buddha has attended therapy sessions with the child through his NDIS plan,” Ms Day said.

“The parents are concerned about the possible detrimental impact on their son’s emotional state if they were to remove Buddha from the family and therefore believe it is unreasonable for the family to be asked to rehouse him in order to be supported with housing.

“The family require stable and appropriate housing to support the child and his siblings to continue engaging in their education and to support his mental health and wellbeing related to his disability needs.’’

A Department of Housing spokesman said thousands of public housing tenants of all ages were currently living with their support animals or pets in social homes across the state.

“The family would not need to rehome the dog to be eligible for social housing,’’ he said.

“Our services have been working with the family and providers on a housing solution, including offers of pet-friendly temporary emergency accommodation options.

“We will continue to try to source pet-friendly accommodation for the family and will remain in contact with the family.’’

Ms Dobe said she was willing to take any accommodation within the area to keep her children safe.

“In our previous house the children would often snuggle together in one room watching something on the TV,” she said.

“We would happily take a two-bedroom house and have a boy and girl room.’’

Mr Dobe said all his family could do now was wait to hear some good news.

He also thanked local charitable organisations for their help.

“We are so thankful to Beau Hayward at Nourish Street who feeds us and more than 100 other homeless folk each night,” Mr Dobe said.

“We are very friendly and feel like a sideshow attraction when people come and take photos of us. Just come and say hello,” he said.