Employed Redlands single mother and daughter facing homelessness

A single mother with a full-time job and impeccable rental history says she has run out of time in a desperate three-month search for a home after her landlord told her to vacate. Short of a miracle, she and her teen daughter face homelessness this weekend.

Employed Redlands single mother and daughter facing homelessness.

A working single mother has revealed her desperate search for a rental spanning nearly three months, as she and her teenage daughter grapple with the grim prospect of becoming homeless from this Saturday, April 27.

The lifelong Redland resident said she approached every real estate agent in the area about properties for herself and her teenage daughter after their landlord gave notice he would no longer be renting a townhouse he owned.

The woman is employed full-time as an employment officer in Redlands.

She said she never thought she would end up in such a position because of her “impeccable’’ rental history and stable job.

“It feels completely hopeless. I am thinking there will be no other options but to go and buy a tent,” she said.

“I have been searching every day for three months for a property, ideally in the Redlands, for my daughter’s schooling and stability.

“This has caused me so much anxiety and loss of sleep.’’

The mother said she had been competing for rental properties against dual-income families or new residents who had moved to Redlands from southern states.

“I have looked at two-bedroom townhouses like the one I am currently living in,’’ she said.

“They are wanting $500 per week. Families come in and offer more and of course the landlord goes with them.

“It makes me feel like I’ve got no hope and no chance.

“It would be nice if real estates and landlords could realise single mothers are doing it tough during the cost of living crisis, as is everyone. Have a bit of humanity.’’

She said her daughter had been stressed out at the thought of attending school and then returning home to a tent or her mum’s car.

“It breaks my heart hearing her say she will sleep in the car,” the mother said.

“Teenage girls want to look and feel pretty and she’s asking me if I know where we will shower. I’m doing everything I can.’’

She had also looked at rental options in inner-Brisbane suburbs, Logan and Ipswich but had had no luck with applications.

“The rental market is horrendous. I simply can’t afford more than $450 per week with just my income,” she said.

She has contacted local organisation Footprint for help should nothing come up before Saturday.

“I have lived in the Redlands since I was a little girl and I am hoping this is where we can stay,” she said.

“I have seen such an increase on local pages of families going through the same thing.’’