Coming to the rescue of Logan family facing homelessness

David and Kelly and their six children were required to move out of their private rental of eight years, through circumstances beyond their control, when the owner decided to renovate the property.  

The family faced intense competition in the tightest rental ever recorded in Queensland and struggled to find another appropriate and affordable rental property for their large family.  In the end, they were separated, staying with family, friends and couch surfing while desperately searching for a new private rental suitable for them all.

"Our youngest was staying with David's mother in a one-bedroom unit.  One daughter stayed with friends close to her school, and the older children stayed with their friends or partners. David and I moved every few nights from friends' places, depending on where we were able to stay," Kelly said.

David said they attended countless rental inspections and submitted dozens of applications but were turned down every time. 

“I kept on going because I just wanted to find a place so we could get the family back together again,” David said.

The family’s housing insecurity was further compounded by the added stress of Kelly’s chronic respiratory illness and mental health struggles.

“I am a carer for Kelly, and we also get support through the NDIS for things like cleaning and yard maintenance,” David said.

Desperate to get the family back together again, David and Kelly reached out to the local community organisation Youth and Family Services (YFS) in Logan, who referred the family to our Churches of Christ Housing Services in September last year. As a result, we were able to house David, Kelly and their youngest three children in one of our Crisis Accommodation Program properties in Slacks Creek, just in time for Christmas in 2020.

"Churches of Christ Housing Services have been amazing from the start. Dominee, our Housing Support Worker, has helped us so much. For example, we didn't think we would be able to give our family a Christmas last year, and Dominee showed up with food hampers, gift cards and presents for the children," David said.

The family now hopes to find more permanent housing in a bigger home with space for their large family with the support of our Housing Services team.