Single mum creates GoFundMe in a last-ditch effort to secure stable housing

A single mum has created a GoFundMe in a last-ditch effort to secure stable housing for her family and the response has been cruel.

Housing reality laid bare.

A single mum created a GoFundMe to ask people to help her raise a house deposit, not because she’s greedy, but because she’s desperate.

Emmalee Potter, 38, has three teenage daughters and has been raising them alone. She works full-time in childcare but has been locked out of Melbourne’s rental market.

After her landlord decided to sell the home she was living in, she applied for hundreds of rentals but wasn’t approved.

“We just kept getting knocked back and the rental market is just insane,” she told news.com.au.

Ms Potter found herself on the brink of homelessness and was saved by a friend who let her and her children move into a spare room.

Emmalee Potter just wants a home for her family. Picture: Supplied

The single mum works full-time and is living with a friend. Picture: Supplied

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The 38-year-old has been living in one room with her three daughters for over eight months. Her mate has five children of her own, and they all share the same home.

Ms Potter is keen to access The Family Home Guarantee Scheme created by the government that allows single parents to buy a family home with as little as a two per cent deposit,

The single mum explained that their current situation is “really cramped”, and her friend is planning to sell her property because she can’t afford the mortgage repayments and she doesn’t want to be at the mercy of the rental crisis again.

The vacancy rate in Melbourne is still unnervingly low, at 1.1 per cent. However, it is increasingly competitive, and Ms Potter feels that being a single mum puts her at a disadvantage, as landlords want two-income households.

After exhausting all the options, Ms Potter decided to launch a GoFundMe because she wanted to do what was best for her family and provide a better life for her girls.

She posted the GoFundMe as a last-ditch attempt. Picture: Supplied

She's raised just over $500. Picture: Supplied

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She has already saved $5000 and wrote on her fundraiser that she just needed help to “get over this last hurdle”.

“It is a foundation for the next chapter of life, a space where memories are made, and where I can really begin to feel settled. Your donation, no matter the size, will go directly toward helping me achieve this dream,” she wrote on the post.

Unfortunately, Ms Potter’s words failed to tug on most people’s heartstrings and the backlash has been heartbreaking.

Someone responded that “life is hard for everyone” and another argued that you can’t “expect” anyone to buy you a home.

Someone else said it was a “tough time for everyone”, others just told her to lower her expectations.

“Fund yourself!” one quipped.

“How can this woman get a home loan, are the banks crazy?” another remarked.

One called it “shameless”, another called it “ridiculous:, and while some defended her and pointed out there’s nothing wrong with asking for help, the resounding response from Aussies was callous.

So far she’s raised a little over $500.

She wants to use the money to buy a two-bedroom unit. Picture: iStock

In reality, all Ms Potter wants to do is find stable housing for her daughters and give them a permanent home.

“I expected some negativity, and I know it is a tough time for everyone, but I didn’t expect so much backlash,” she said.

“I’m not trying to get a million-dollar mortgage. We’d be moving an hour away from where we live and buying a $250,000 two-bedroom unit.”

Ms Potter said people are quick to make so many “assumptions” and accuse her of looking for a “handout”, but she feels like she’s exhausted every other option.

“It would mean the absolute world to me to own a home,” she said.

“My youngest suffers from anxiety and not knowing where we are living is hard. My middle child is on the spectrum and doesn’t like change.”

The 38-year-old mum said buying would give them “stability” and the privilege of not “having to worry” about housing constantly.

“I’m doing everything. I’m doing what is best for my family.”

A spokesman for GoFundMe told news.com.au that the platform is for everyone and to help whoever needs it.

“It is important to remember that no two cases are the same and donations primarily come from a fundraiser’s friends and family,” the spokesman said.

“They know better than anyone else the circumstances that have led to the need for a GoFundMe, and make an informed decision to donate based on their desire to support a loved one.

“With the higher cost of living, we understand the pressures facing Aussies and we wholeheartedly support anyone who is putting their hand up for help, and we celebrate those who are able to lend a hand in return.”

Originally published as Single mum creates GoFundMe in a last-ditch effort to secure stable housing