Mum flees in fear of drug house

HOMELESS AFTER SOCIAL HOUSING OFFER

A MOTHER who gave up her community housing lease out of fear for herself and her unborn child says she is now homeless.

The young mother, Jenny*, said she had been in a community housing property managed by Yumba-meta Housing before she arranged to move as she was unable to afford the rent on her own.

Jenny said she spent many years struggling with drugs and alcohol addiction, but two years ago cleaned up her act.

She said while hoping to make things easier financially she agreed to a lease for a two-bedroom unit.

Jenny said when she discovered the apartment was in the same complex where she had known previous drug users to be living she became concerned.

“Before I signed the new lease I got Dad to call and ask on my behalf if it was a safe environment for me to bring the baby up in ’cause I was hesitant,” she said.

“I used to know a few people at the complex and didn’t want to involve myself in that circle they were a part of.

“But come the day I went to move in there was loud music and people I used to associate with (in my drug days) sitting on the driveway.

“I couldn’t risk going backwards so I got the removalist to take my stuff to a storage shed.”

Jenny claimed when she cancelled the lease she was told she would have to reapply for community housing and would be returned to the bottom of the waiting list.

The heavily pregnant woman said she as now couch surfing and was worried about finding a new home. “If I had known it wasn’t safe I wouldn’t even have accepted the lease on the unit,” she said.

“I’d already paid two weeks rent. They didn’t even offer me somewhere else.”

Yumba-meta Housing CEO Dushyanthi Thangiah said she was unable to speak about the specific case due to privacy issues, however, the door was always open to the mum-to-be.

“We are more than happy to work with her to find her suitable accommodation,” Ms Thangiah said.

A Department of Housing and

Public Works spokesman said there was no waiting list in Queensland and that all housing allocations were determined by individual needs.

He said while the department was unable to comment on individual cases, it worked proactively with all customers.

“The safety, protection and wellbeing of customers is paramount and customers are encouraged to engage with their local Housing Service Centre about their needs,” the spokesman said.

“Housing Service Centres (HSCS) have an important role in providing housing services and co-ordinating assistance for customers.

“The department is working with the provider to ensure the customer is able to be securely housed.”

*Jenny’s name has been changed to protect her identity.

it If I had known wasn’t safe I wouldn’t even have accepted the lease on the unit