'Life seems a lot easier now'

Published:: 5 December 2024 11:14AM

After 2 periods of homelessness and a stint in emergency housing, Amy and Floyd have a safe, secure and affordable home for their 5 children, aged 2 to 18 years. Three of the children have ADHD and intellectual disabilities.

The RentConnect team at the Bundaberg Housing Service Centre (HSC) helped Amy and Floyd, a security officer, secure a Helping Hand Headlease on a suburban 4-bedroom home.

‘Life seems a lot easier now. Everyone is a lot happier.’

In a Helping Hand Headlease arrangement, the Queensland Government leases a private rental property through a real estate agent and sub-leases it to a suitable client. At the end of a successful lease, the lease is transferred to the client.

‘It’s walking distance to the school and to the shops, and it’s really nice and quiet for my kids. I don’t have to worry about them getting hit by cars,’ says Amy.

‘And our eldest son is especially happy because he’s got a room in the house now, not living in a garage,’ she laughs.

Amy says the RentConnect officers were very helpful and understanding of her anxiety at being unable to find an affordable home large enough for their family.

‘Before we were living day-to-day, whereas now we can see the future. And we’re making plans to own our own home. We couldn’t do that before because were constantly terrified we were going to be homeless again.’

Towards ending homelessness

As part of our Homes for Queenslanders plan, we're working towards ending homelessness with more funding for frontline services and more temporary supported accommodation.

We’re also doubling our team of RentConnect officers across the state to help people like Amy and Floyd access rental relief 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.

Amy and Floyd standing at the front door of their Bundaberg suburban 4-bedroom home