RENTAL CRISIS IS HURTING PEOPLE

t’s hard not feel for people like Sabina Van Stelten.

The Townsville mum lost her husband, then her house, and is now on the verge of homelessness as she grapples with the region’s rental crisis.

The problem at the moment is that Mrs Van Stelten is not alone.

Many, many people and families and a lot of women are struggling to find a place to rent in Townsville and surrounds.

While the Covid-19 pandemic has been a boost for local real estate agents, homeowners and landlords others are falling between the cracks.

Mrs Van Stelten’s story is like many others.

The nurse, has been on the hunt for a rental property for five weeks.

That doesn’t seem like a long time but when you are given four-weeks notice to be out of your rental it seems like an eternity.

She says she has applied for 10 houses a week for the past five weeks.

She’s going to multiple inspections every day but continues to miss out on a rental opportunity for her family.

“I honest to God don’t know what to do, I’m going to be homeless.”

... the story is like many others.

What makes things worse is just last year Mrs Van Stelten was rocked by the death of her husband, John.

He was killed in a car crash on the Bruce Highway near Mackay.

The crash also killed her 12-yearold son’s father, Mark Dunstan, who was travelling with Mr Van Stelten for work when they were hit by a truck.

Unfortunately there’s not much that can be done.

The number of people looking for rentals has outstripped the places on offer.

Townsville rental vacancy rates have dropped to just 0.7 per cent from 2.3 per cent in June last year and the June number was already tight.

So if you can help Mrs Van Stelten drop the Townsville Bulletin an email and we will put you in touch with her.