‘Life-changing’: WA single mum who was ‘struggling to survive’ in rental market

A mum-of-three was already “struggling to survive” when her landlord flagged a huge rent increase, terrifying her that the “vicious cycle” would never end.

A West Australian mum was on the “verge of a mental health breakdown” after being told she was facing a rent rise of $70 a week.

Bo-Anne Kolkman, a single mum-of-three, said the family were “struggling to survive” as she was in and out of hospital with her son.

When she was just 19 weeks pregnant, her son Harrison, was diagnosed with dysplastic kidneys, which prevents them working properly and she was even advised to terminate the pregnancy.

But the mum was determined to have her child.

Harrison underwent a kidney transplant at just 20 months of age and continues to have chronic health issues now as a nine-year-old. It makes it difficult for the mum to commit to full-time work as she is his carer, she said.

Harrison in hospital while he was a baby. Picture: Supplied

The single mum has had to use food banks to survive. Picture: Supplied

The disability support worker issued a desperate plea in June revealing that the “crazy” rental market was eating up most of her money, while the family was living off food boxes donated from their church as well as visiting the food bank.

She launched a GoFundMe appeal in June revealing she was “utterly and completely exhausted, sad, confused and on the verge of a mental health breakdown”.

“My body felt exhausted with stress, like overwhelming[ly] tired, and I still had to work and give 110 per cent to the kids but I wasn’t there in my brain to turn up,” she told news.com.au.

“It was really hard to put on a happy face, but that’s what I did as that’s what mums do.”

Harrison at a recent hospital visit. Picture: Supplied

She is proud of her girls for holding the fort while she is in hospital with their brother. Picture: Supplied

The 42-year-old said she was “embarrassed” to ask for help but wanted to “take the financial stress and future insecurities” away by being able to buy her own home.

“We started renting and it’s not a mansion and it wasn’t huge but we were paying $550 a week and it was going up to $620 – that’s a $70 increase,” she said.

“I told the landlord I couldn’t handle it and he said you’d better look around now and start looking for something new. That’s what scared me the most.

“I thought I have to get out of this vicious cycle that they can just put the rent up.”

Her story “blew up” on GoFundMe with hundreds of Australians helping her to raise more than $11,000.

“It’s been incredible. When the first lot of donations came through I was just crying,” she said.

“I woke up to it and my phone was like ping, ping, ping. I thought I was some sort of Insta famous person and couldn’t respond fast enough to say thanks.”

The fundraiser was life-changing by allowing the family to buy their own home. Picture: Supplied

The money has been “life-changing” with the mum recently purchasing her own home via the Government’s single parent scheme which allows people to use a 2 per cent deposit.

‘There would be no other way to buy a house the normal way where other people save up large deposits, which are like $80,000. There is no way I could have done that, it’s just an impossible dream, so I would definitely do it all over again and ask for help,” she said.

“It’s just an absolutely incredible experience. I actually sat on the floor when I first got the keys and the kids weren’t there and the house was completely empty and I just cried. It’s been a goal of mine since I’ve had children.”

Even though her first mortgage broker told her she didn’t have enough of a deposit, Ms Kolkman said it put the “fire” in her and she purchased the three-bedroom house for $415,000.

It means she will now save money on the mortgage repayments compared to rent too.

She was paying $550 a week in rent but her loan payments are $412.

The mum said having their own home offered the family security. Picture: Supplied

The kids are excited to decorate their own bedrooms. Picture: Supplied

Ms Kolkman said Harrison may need another kidney transplant in the future but the experience had changed the course of her family’s lives and “made the world of difference”.

She said it had created security for her son and two daughters aged 12 and 11 who have “carried the load” for her and turned into “mini little adults” when she has been away in hospital with him.

“The house is old and it needs a lot of work but it’s ours. We are going through one room at a time and decorating things for the kids,” she said.

“They absolutely love it. One of them is doing a whole drawing on the wall and creating a mural and they can be kids and can breathe.

“In the rental I was always telling them not to touch anything and asking who dropped this, so it’s such a different experience.”

Ms Kolkman it has also been life-changing by helping to connect her with “people that care” and she is helping to educate other single mums about the housing scheme.