Qld housing crisis: Toowoomba man finds himself homeless in Brisbane

A Brisbane man forced to live on the street in the middle of a rental crisis has eloquently told his story of being homeless, telling of his fears and “dark times”, while struggling to come to terms with how he ended up there.

A Brisbane man who has been living on the streets for more than six months says the only reason he is able to get through the “dark times” is by having his dog by his side.

Maxwell Porter, 42, has been living on the streets since he made the move from Toowoomba to Brisbane over six months ago in an attempt to better himself.

Moving to a place where he thought he would be able to access better support, he has been unable to find somewhere to live and work.

While he still looks for both, the only place for him is on the street. He said the only reason he is OK is because of his dog Boss.

“I feel sorry for the homeless people that don’t have a support individual like Boss,” he said.

“I have a lot of dark times with homelessness and without him there we may not be having these conversations.

“He senses my emotions, he comes and supports me.”

Maxwell Porter with his dog Boss. Picture: Liam Kidston

Mr Porter said he struggles being homeless because of many factors.

“We don’t get very much sleep so sleep deprivation is a big thing around here with the lifestyle,” he said.

“It’s from the hot nights, Mother Nature and all her insects and bugs, but also the humans – drug and alcohol activities through the park.

“I spend a lot of time feeling unsafe, not sure if I will get a deep sleep because you never know who or what is going to be around and what their intentions are.”

Mr Porter said it took him some time to find a safe space.

“We always establish where the troublemakers like to hang out and head the other way,” he said.

“We don’t sleep or hang around residential areas as we don’t want to make any children or families uncomfortable.

Maxwell Porter with his dog Boss. Picture: Liam Kidston

“Being around the families is a bit of a sore spot because we miss our own.”

Mr Porter said the difficulty he has found was getting a place which will allow him to bring Boss.

But he said it was a catch 22, because to get a job he needed a home and to afford a home he needed a job.

After more than six months, Mr Porter said he has noticed more people sleeping in their cars.

Ivan, who has never been homeless in his life, was forced to sleep into his car after his agreement at Albany Creek ended.

“I never ever thought I would be sleeping in my car. The rental situation is chronic, it’s the worst,” he said.

“I never thought this could possibly happen in Queensland.

“I am not an old 62, I am a bit of a young 62 and I never thought I would be in this position in my life.

“Now I have to park my car and sleep in it.”

Originally published as Qld housing crisis: Toowoomba man finds himself homeless in Brisbane