'It's lovely to have a roof over my head'
- Last updated:
- 27 July 2024 11:40AM
- First published:
- 27 August 2024 11:40AM
Diane has just moved into an affordable housing complex in Rockhampton after 10 days sleeping in a park. After a bad car accident exacerbated her spinal condition, Dianne sold her car and coastal home to move closer to shops and services in Rockhampton.
The pensioner lost most of her savings in a scam and, unable to find a suitable rental, put her things in storage and spent about 18 months living in a motel with her dog, Bella.
'Things went from bad to worse and I ended up out on the street. The people at the service station were lovely, they fed me and kept my phone charged for me. And after I was robbed, a nearby motel gave me a room for the night to clean myself up,' she says.
'I was in tears when I walked out of that motel, and so scared. Never in my whole life did I think I would become homeless. I was always a very motivated person, always owned everything all my life.'
Diane contacted her local Housing Service Centre, where she was provided with emergency accommodation for 6 weeks. She is now settling into a 1-bedroom unit in an affordable housing complex managed by Anglicare Central Queensland.
'It really is lovely. And somewhere to put some roots down. It will be nice when I can get out and put some plants in the garden,' she says.
'I’ve got a little courtyard for Bella, and there’s rails in the shower and all things like that. I’ve only got to walk a block and I’m up to the supermarket, which is really good, and there’s a doctor surgery up there, too.'
Diane praised local housing officer Kathy, who helped her apply for a Bond Loan and Rental Security Grant.
'She was really, really good with me, really nice. The housing team was excellent. I couldn’t fault them at all. They treated me with utmost respect.'
As part of our Homes for Queenslanders plan, we're delivering a $160 million Renters Relief Package to help tackle the cost of living. We're also doubling our team of RentConnect officers across the state to help people like Diane access these services.
If you or someone you know needs housing help
Call 13 QGOV (13 74 68) or contact your local Housing Service Centre.
If you are experiencing or are at risk of homelessness, contact the Homeless Hotline for free on 1800 474 753 (24 hours a day, 7 days a week).
Find out more about housing help and support.
