A Gubbi Gubbi woman who moved back to her homeland of Noosa to escape family violence has been left to sleep on the streets with her young child due to the housing crisis.
She’s one of the many strong, smart, single mothers who fall into the gaps of society’s stigmas while fighting for survival, and they urgently need to be uplifted with the community’s help.
“You have a decision where you stay in violence or you put yourself into poverty,“ she said.
“Neither are decisions that you want to make but you have to choose one. When you choose, you’re then demonised for being in poverty. Did you want me to stay in the violence so that’s more acceptable to everyone? Stop demonising me because I was a victim of violence.
“Apart from the fact that housing is a human right, any assistance I have asked for in finding a safe and secure home, for my child and I, should not be treated so contemptuously by government or workers within it.“
Since her accommodation fell through after fleeing from 15 hours away, she has exhausted all avenues and contacted every support service in the region.
“It’s our traditional country, we’re Gubbi Gubbi people. I’ve grown up in Noosa and it’s so horrible to come home to feel safe and heal, and suddenly you’re sleeping in a car and everyone just thinks you’re a blight on society,“ she said.
“We have slept in a tent in the bush as we couldn’t afford unpowered tent site fees, in our car while I had Covid and in a motel. I have showered at the local pool and eaten off the barbecues at the parks.
“I scrape by each week, often missing meals as I can’t afford to eat three meals a day and do not always have access to refrigeration and heating, inhibiting my ability to keep and cook foods.
“I’ll be honest, I’ve had to call LifeLine because I thought I wanted to kill myself. I know that sounds dramatic but the sense of hopelessness is just so overwhelming. I’m sick to death with the Housing Department forcing me to constantly beg for a human right.“
The Queensland Department Of Housing has a policy whereby no children are to be homeless, so they put the family up in motels in a subsidised rent arrangement.
“This is great, however, when I have tried to be put up in a motel within the acceptable rate for the Department Of Housing in the Noosa region, we have been knocked back,“ she said.
“The housing officer stated to me words to the effect that they have a hard time in the Noosa area due to the rates and unwillingness of motels in the area to house us.
“I was disgusted. To assume that we are somehow less than because of our situation is terrible and I am ashamed of my home town for such a horrible and elitist attitude.“
YouTurn Homelessness general manager Darce Foley said unfortunately this family’s story was one that they heard all too often, with many in the same situation.
“Our best advice would be that she contact DV Connect (the state funded support service) for accommodation advice. I would say that she has already done this though, as other providers would have recommended the same thing,“ Darce said.
The Noosa not-for-profit focuses on three core areas of child safety, homelessness and mental health, and has been receiving up to 15 enquiries a week for similar support.
“Our services are constantly at capacity with referrals via many different paths, so it is unfortunately fairly rare that we have capacity to accommodate those who contact us directly,“ Darce said.
The Gubbi Gubbi woman said although they were homeless due to violence, they were not eligible for any emergency accommodation through DV Connect as they were able to physically remove themselves from the violence.
“We’re housesitting until 27 July, so I need to find a place before I’m left on the streets again,“ she said.
“I’m looking for long-term accommodation where I can have stability for my child. If there’s a motel that can house us in the Noosa region long-term, please contact the newspaper.“
The single mum is studying and volunteering to further the qualifications she already has, in an effort to be hired in a position she can work during the hours her child is at school.
If you can help provide long-term accommodation, please email newsdesk@noosatoday.com.au
