Housing support gives hope

Many factors can contribute to people becoming homeless, including housing affordability, job loss, relationship breakdown, illness or family conflict. As these three stories show, specialist housing and homelessness services and organisations funded by the Department of Communities are integral to turning around the lives of homeless Queenslanders.

A place to put down roots

Keen gardeners, Marion and John Craven, can once again put down roots after facing homelessness.

Referral to community housing provider Horizon Housing Company led to Marion and John Craven putting down roots and once again feeling secure in a long-term home.

Six years ago, John and Marion Craven owned a home and a driving school in Springwood in Brisbane’s south. When John became ill and couldn’t run the business, the couple’s life changed.

“We lost it all in 2006 due to John’s ill health,” Marion says.

“He had a heart problem and he lost the nerves in his arm.

“He couldn’t continue to run the driving school and he was taking on the load of unreliable employees.”

Eventually, the combination of illness and the challenges of running a small business became too much and John and Marion were forced to sell their family home.

Their son tried to help out by buying them a house that they lived in for a short time — but it was sold when he got married.

Their daughter also tried to help, but when the global financial crisis hit and her business was struggling, she couldn’t continue to subsidise her parent’s accommodation.

The couple then moved in to a caravan park. 

Around this time, John and Marion contacted the Department of Communities Robina Housing Service Centre where they were assessed and referred to local community housing provider, Horizon Housing.

In December last year, they were offered new long-term community housing on the Gold Coast. 

Home for the couple is now a two-bedroom, ground floor unit within a four unit facility.

“I have a disability and can’t navigate stairs so we are in a disability unit,” Marion says.

“It’s wonderful — very comfortable. We look after the place and try to keep it as nice as we can.”

Marion says the neighbours all get along well, helping each other out and building
a sense of community.

Marion says the future now looks “great”.

“We really appreciate what the government has done for us,” she says.

“This is such a blessing, now we are secure again.”

For information visit www.communities.qld.gov.au/housing and click on social housing.

Homeless in the city: Michelle’s story

Michelle Wilson in her kitchen.

Brisbane woman Michelle Wilson tells her story of transition from sleeping rough to finding a home, a job and a brighter future.

After being evicted with only enough money for two nights’ accommodation at a backpacker hostel, Michelle was sleeping rough in Brisbane’s Queen Street Mall.

The first couple of days I didn’t sleep. It’s pretty scary on the streets. Then I slept near the cameras for safety as the police were keeping an eye on me.

I was found one night by Micah (Department of Communities funded organisation Micah Projects). I had my back up and gave them a hard time. I didn’t trust anyone. They said they’d find me a place but I didn’t believe them and was quite rude to them. But they came back in half an hour and gave me some blankets and toiletries.

The next day they checked to see if I was okay and promised again that they’d help me. That afternoon they came by and said they had a place for me to look at.

I was stunned!

I popped my head in the flat and said ‘This is cool’. They encouraged me to have a proper look but I said ‘There’s a roof over my head and a front and back door. I’m happy’. They moved me in to the flat full of furniture and food the next day and my attitude completely changed.

I’d never met anyone who had done something like this for me. It’s always me been fighting for everything I might want, what I need and what I’ve got. I slept for three days and when I woke up it was like I was in real life.

Micah keeps checking I’m okay. If I need help they’re there. I’ve got work as a security patrol officer. I’m getting more shifts and I’ll be off the dole soon.

I’ve cleared my debts and just put a deposit on a car. Once I pay that off I want to save a deposit for my own place.

For information about Micah Projects visit www.micahprojects.org.au or phone 3029 7000.

Young mum and bub sleep safely thanks to Youth Studios

Ngakai has somewhere safe to live with her baby Anita while finishing school.

For 17-year-old Ngakai and her baby Anita, temporary accommodation offers safety and fresh hope.

Ngakai lives in a studio unit in her parents’ backyard, thanks to the Department of Communities’ Youth Studios initiative, run jointly with not-for-profit Kids Under Cover.

This means Ngakai can finish secondary school while being within easy reach of her parents’ support.

“Having this studio unit installed means a great deal to me,” Ngakai says.

“It gives me somewhere safe and stable to live so I can finish year 12 while raising my baby with the help of my family.

“Then after school I plan to complete a certificate in business and work in administration.”

Built from timber and corrugated iron, the studio gives Ngakai and her baby stable accommodation for two years. It will then be redeployed to another young person at risk of homelessness.

Caseworker, Morris Savelino of Career Keys at Inala, began working with Ngakai before Anita’s birth.

“We initially assessed Ngakai’s needs to ensure her life and career goals stay on track while she raises her baby,” Morris says.

“This led to identifying a need to find semi-independent accommodation for Ngakai, who, with a newborn baby, would be living in overcrowded housing if she remained in her family’s home.

“Without this accommodation, Ngakai would have had to consider moving away from her family’s house and their support, and this would have been a difficult option.”

For information visit www.kuc.org.au or phone 3221 2537