Toowoomba family cry our for housing as cancer op looms

A Toowoomba family say they are at breaking point after having to vacate their rental property of three years last month, and they are running out of options.

WE NEED HELP: The Cooper-Duncan family (from left) Jayden Cooper, 14, Conner Cooper, 7, mum Felicity Cooper, Cheyenne Cooper, 10, Jade Duncan and Mazikeen Duncan, 2, are victims of Toowoomba's housing crisis after becoming homeless last month having to sleep in their car and a friend’s spare bedroom. Picture: Kevin Farmer

Felicity Cooper and her family are among the 20,000 Queenslanders who are currently experiencing homelessness, with the days getting colder and no housing prospects in sight.

After receiving notice to leave their Harristown rental of the last three years in May Ms Cooper, her partner Jade Duncan and their four children were forced to move in to their car and a friend’s house.

“I’m currently sharing one bedroom with my three youngest children, while Jade who has cerebral palsy, sleeps in our car,” she said.

“The landlord of our previous home decided they wanted to renovate and sell the house so thankfully my friend took us in but I know with all six of us she can’t be expected to support us for much longer.”

The Cooper-Duncan family (from left) Jade Duncan holding Mazikeen Duncan, 2, Jayden Cooper, 14, Conner Cooper, 7, mother Felicity Cooper and Cheyenne Cooper, 10. Picture: Kevin Farmer

The Duncan and Cooper clan are among hundreds of Darling Downs families currently sleeping rough or in temporary accommodation as a result of the Queensland housing crisis.

“We were good renters, we always paid our rent on time and we never had any problems with inspections,” Ms Cooper said.

“And yet we’ve applied for every single rental on the market within our budget and simply because there’s so many other families out there applying, a big family like ours doesn’t stand a chance.”

Mr Duncan was working and Ms Cooper was studying to become an individual support worker before the mother-of-four was diagnosed with a rare form of bowel cancer and suffered a burst cyst on one of her ovaries.

The Cooper Duncan family are in desperate need of permanent housing after being forced to vacate their rental of three years last month. Picture: Kevin Farmer

“It’s been a really rough few months losing our home and then finding out I’m going to need major surgery to remove the cancer and even then I might need to undergo radiation and chemo,” she said.

“I just want to be able to provide my family with a warm, safe home so that I can come home and heal and get back to working again.”

The Duncan-Coopers said they had contacted The Salvation Army, St Vincent de Pauls, the Homeless Line and Department of Housing only to be placed on waiting lists with no idea when help will become available.

“Winter is here and families are at breaking point,” Ms Cooper said.

“The only thing between a home and the streets is four week’s notice right now. It’s not a matter of a week or a month, we need help now.”