Reduce my anxiety with hopefully unnecessary tips for being homeless?
February 7, 2024 4:36 PM Subscribe
Gold Coast Australia. I'm waiting anxiously to find out if my rent has gone up again because my income has gone down, and too big a rent increase and I either have to move to an extremely rural part of the Australia somewhere else far away from my medical team (various mental health issues, PTSD, aphasia, regular lung CTs, regular colonoscopies, arthritis) or get a tent because I will be homeless.
Thanks. I hope not to need your advice.
These are not my regular intrusive thoughts that I can CBD away. News and gov keeps saying women over 55 in Australia are the fastest growing demographic of homeless people, and rental availability in my area is under 1%. Real estate ads for sharehouse room only starts at $300. My current rent is half my current income of $444 per week. $300 is nearly 70% of my total income.
I'd have to get rid of most of my furniture, books, computer, TV, kitchen goods, sewing machine. I have no family who can house me and as an autistic person, I have finally learned that my way of making friends isn't particularly effective, which means no friends to share with, that I don't tend to be a valued member of an NT group or household, plus social anxiety provokes selective mutism - like in job interviews I've been reduced to silence or making bizarre grunts and I now have aphasia. I'm also very scared at men because of multiple assaults, and an inability to tell which are safe and which are not, and not being able to really lock myself in a tent seems a frightening lack of personal security.
I have some savings, so I can get a good tent, but where do I set it up? I'd live in my car if I had one but my medical condition(s) prevents me from driving, so no car, which means no secure lockable space, and transport is public. I can't stop thinking about it, which is not helpful with my anxiety disorders and PTSD.
Any other homeless living advice? Like how can you lock your tent when you go out? Do you get a cabana to put over your tent to make it cooler? How do you charge your phone so that you can look at property listings you can't afford? What about showers and washing clothes? How do I keep my medications cool enough? Do I need to "borrow" a shopping trolley so I can pile all my stuff in it when I'm told to move on? I don't even know how to cook on a park barbecue or camp stove.
Will I have to rehome my senior cat? I'm his 3rd "forever" person, and he's finally demonstrating a sense of security, and acceptance of love that took months of gentle and thoughtful care. He's an indoor cat, so if we lived in a tent, I'd have to have some sort of barrier to keep him in and that sounds unrealistic.
This question is a bit jumbled. Sorry.
These are not my regular intrusive thoughts that I can CBD away. News and gov keeps saying women over 55 in Australia are the fastest growing demographic of homeless people, and rental availability in my area is under 1%. Real estate ads for sharehouse room only starts at $300. My current rent is half my current income of $444 per week. $300 is nearly 70% of my total income.
I'd have to get rid of most of my furniture, books, computer, TV, kitchen goods, sewing machine. I have no family who can house me and as an autistic person, I have finally learned that my way of making friends isn't particularly effective, which means no friends to share with, that I don't tend to be a valued member of an NT group or household, plus social anxiety provokes selective mutism - like in job interviews I've been reduced to silence or making bizarre grunts and I now have aphasia. I'm also very scared at men because of multiple assaults, and an inability to tell which are safe and which are not, and not being able to really lock myself in a tent seems a frightening lack of personal security.
I have some savings, so I can get a good tent, but where do I set it up? I'd live in my car if I had one but my medical condition(s) prevents me from driving, so no car, which means no secure lockable space, and transport is public. I can't stop thinking about it, which is not helpful with my anxiety disorders and PTSD.
Any other homeless living advice? Like how can you lock your tent when you go out? Do you get a cabana to put over your tent to make it cooler? How do you charge your phone so that you can look at property listings you can't afford? What about showers and washing clothes? How do I keep my medications cool enough? Do I need to "borrow" a shopping trolley so I can pile all my stuff in it when I'm told to move on? I don't even know how to cook on a park barbecue or camp stove.
Will I have to rehome my senior cat? I'm his 3rd "forever" person, and he's finally demonstrating a sense of security, and acceptance of love that took months of gentle and thoughtful care. He's an indoor cat, so if we lived in a tent, I'd have to have some sort of barrier to keep him in and that sounds unrealistic.
This question is a bit jumbled. Sorry.
Best answer: Also in Queensland
Homeless Hotline
Call 1800 474 753
Homeless Hotline is a phone information and referral service for people who are experiencing homelessness or are at risk of homelessness. The Homeless Hotline operates 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.
posted by chariot pulled by cassowaries at 4:58 PM on February 7 [2 favorites]
Homeless Hotline
Call 1800 474 753
Homeless Hotline is a phone information and referral service for people who are experiencing homelessness or are at risk of homelessness. The Homeless Hotline operates 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.
posted by chariot pulled by cassowaries at 4:58 PM on February 7 [2 favorites]
Best answer: Chiming in similarly, another site that might help is this one on responding to and preventing homelessness in your region:
https://www.goldcoast.qld.gov.au/Services/Supporting-our-community/Community-advice-support/Housing-homelessness
Thinking warm thoughts your way, this sounds so so hard.
posted by eirias at 5:00 PM on February 7 [1 favorite]
https://www.goldcoast.qld.gov.au/Services/Supporting-our-community/Community-advice-support/Housing-homelessness
Thinking warm thoughts your way, this sounds so so hard.
posted by eirias at 5:00 PM on February 7 [1 favorite]
Best answer: Hey, b33j.
First of all, all the hugs and compassion and I hope that you don't need any of this. But also, as a fellow person with PTSD, I understand how much *planning* for the worst is helpful for managing anxiety.
First of all, you wouldn't want to spend any money on anything you could get for free or cheap, or anything that might get trashed by someone else. Don't spend precious money on a tent that you can't keep with you and that is vulnerable to other people or sweeps; you would want to get good lightly used shoes. A portable charger that you can keep on your person (which can charge your phone) is also a good choice. Don't "borrow" a shopping trolley; stores value those generally more highly than they're worth and will often charge said borrowers with theft. You could, however, get a foldable wire cart like a lot of our mothers and grandmothers used to use.
Many people also, if they have the budget, and there are no better social services in the area, get a low-income membership to a gym like the YMCA. Some gyms allow for personally locked lockers, others don't; all however generally have showers, and it's a fairly safe place to shower without worrying about your things being stolen while you're vulnerable.
Others have spoken about access to services, so I'm not going to go into that piece.
Keep your chin up, and good luck.
posted by corb at 5:13 PM on February 7 [4 favorites]
First of all, all the hugs and compassion and I hope that you don't need any of this. But also, as a fellow person with PTSD, I understand how much *planning* for the worst is helpful for managing anxiety.
First of all, you wouldn't want to spend any money on anything you could get for free or cheap, or anything that might get trashed by someone else. Don't spend precious money on a tent that you can't keep with you and that is vulnerable to other people or sweeps; you would want to get good lightly used shoes. A portable charger that you can keep on your person (which can charge your phone) is also a good choice. Don't "borrow" a shopping trolley; stores value those generally more highly than they're worth and will often charge said borrowers with theft. You could, however, get a foldable wire cart like a lot of our mothers and grandmothers used to use.
Many people also, if they have the budget, and there are no better social services in the area, get a low-income membership to a gym like the YMCA. Some gyms allow for personally locked lockers, others don't; all however generally have showers, and it's a fairly safe place to shower without worrying about your things being stolen while you're vulnerable.
Others have spoken about access to services, so I'm not going to go into that piece.
Keep your chin up, and good luck.
posted by corb at 5:13 PM on February 7 [4 favorites]
Best answer: More links; Tenants QLD.
posted by Fiasco da Gama at 5:20 PM on February 7 [2 favorites]
posted by Fiasco da Gama at 5:20 PM on February 7 [2 favorites]
Best answer: Also, should your rent go up in a way you can't afford, please post about it here and also to anyone else who knows and cares about you, even if you don't think they can help.
posted by trig at 5:22 PM on February 7 [11 favorites]
posted by trig at 5:22 PM on February 7 [11 favorites]
Best answer: Sorry you're going through this. I'll let others give your place-specific advice, but I'd urge you to talk to your landlord. Obviously how far this will go will depend on the landlord, but I have successfully protested rent hikes before - if you have a history of being a good tenant, that's really worth something to some landlords, so it can't hurt to ask.
posted by coffeecat at 5:28 PM on February 7 [2 favorites]
posted by coffeecat at 5:28 PM on February 7 [2 favorites]
Response by poster: Um, I believe there's years' long waiting lists for social housing.
There's a layer of a complex manager between me and my landlord. He doesn't allow direct communication.
Potential shopping list: Shoes, granny-trolley, portable charger. Cat backpack and leash. PO Box for snail mail/government stuff. Yoga mat for sleeping.
Thank you all for your compassion, kindness and useful information.
posted by b33j at 5:44 PM on February 7
There's a layer of a complex manager between me and my landlord. He doesn't allow direct communication.
Potential shopping list: Shoes, granny-trolley, portable charger. Cat backpack and leash. PO Box for snail mail/government stuff. Yoga mat for sleeping.
Thank you all for your compassion, kindness and useful information.
posted by b33j at 5:44 PM on February 7
Best answer: I believe there's years' long waiting lists for social housing
If planning helps, then this could be a plan to start working on for the longer term regardless of what happens with the rent this year. At least, meeting with a social worker to research what resources exist for you now and in the future and what lists are a good idea to try to get on.
posted by trig at 6:08 PM on February 7 [8 favorites]
If planning helps, then this could be a plan to start working on for the longer term regardless of what happens with the rent this year. At least, meeting with a social worker to research what resources exist for you now and in the future and what lists are a good idea to try to get on.
posted by trig at 6:08 PM on February 7 [8 favorites]
Best answer: If you'd have to get rid of most of your things to live in a sharehouse room, then you'd have to do the same if you didn't have a home.
Perhaps brainstorm ways to be extremely frugal, sell a lot of your things, and live for $300 weekly rent with your cat if the sharehouse room includes utilities (and would accept your cat)? Potatoes-beans-rice, maybe try to find a service or program that could help with pet expenses or at least pet food?
This was my immediate thought, that you could make it work for a time while you work on a longer term plan. I apologize if this is not helpful!
posted by Glinn at 6:22 PM on February 7 [3 favorites]
Perhaps brainstorm ways to be extremely frugal, sell a lot of your things, and live for $300 weekly rent with your cat if the sharehouse room includes utilities (and would accept your cat)? Potatoes-beans-rice, maybe try to find a service or program that could help with pet expenses or at least pet food?
This was my immediate thought, that you could make it work for a time while you work on a longer term plan. I apologize if this is not helpful!
posted by Glinn at 6:22 PM on February 7 [3 favorites]
Best answer: Have you seen this program? "The Supporting Those at Risk of Homelessness (STARH) team will work with you to find and sustain stable housing, build community connections and develop life skills.
STARH is a free voluntary, safe and confidential service that can provide case management planning and support to assist families and individuals in the Gold Coast, Logan, Lockyer Valley, Somerset and Ipswich regions. "
https://www.wmq.org.au/housing-and-homelessness
It looks like it is focused on helping before homelessness strikes. Good luck, b33j
posted by Thella at 10:28 PM on February 7 [2 favorites]
STARH is a free voluntary, safe and confidential service that can provide case management planning and support to assist families and individuals in the Gold Coast, Logan, Lockyer Valley, Somerset and Ipswich regions. "
https://www.wmq.org.au/housing-and-homelessness
It looks like it is focused on helping before homelessness strikes. Good luck, b33j
posted by Thella at 10:28 PM on February 7 [2 favorites]
Best answer: Please don't think you have to solve this all on your own, or that losing your home is your first and best option. You have a home right now, there are services out there that will help you keep that home with rent assistance, etc. It would be worth sussing out the Rental Security Subsidy which can help subsidise your rent for up to 12 months.
You can use your local public library for a lot of resources - computer and internet access, printing, charging your mobile phone, programs that might help connect you with jobs or other resources to enhance your employability (both in-person programs and online courses like LinkedIn Learning). Unfortunately it doesn't look like the Gold Coast libraries are much into makerspace type things (equipment you can borrow/use on-site ranging from technology to sewing machines or ironing boards) but they might be able to help connect you with other local services that are available.
You could potentially also look into housesitting for other people - Aussie House Sitters for example lets you register to be a housesitter - and check out their FAQ where they say you can even housesit with your pet (though obviously not everyone will be able to accommodate that).
And as others have said, if you are really strapped, please let us know. I would be more than happy to help you out. I know what it's like to feel like you are in it all alone, but you really aren't.
posted by Athanassiel at 11:29 PM on February 7
You can use your local public library for a lot of resources - computer and internet access, printing, charging your mobile phone, programs that might help connect you with jobs or other resources to enhance your employability (both in-person programs and online courses like LinkedIn Learning). Unfortunately it doesn't look like the Gold Coast libraries are much into makerspace type things (equipment you can borrow/use on-site ranging from technology to sewing machines or ironing boards) but they might be able to help connect you with other local services that are available.
You could potentially also look into housesitting for other people - Aussie House Sitters for example lets you register to be a housesitter - and check out their FAQ where they say you can even housesit with your pet (though obviously not everyone will be able to accommodate that).
And as others have said, if you are really strapped, please let us know. I would be more than happy to help you out. I know what it's like to feel like you are in it all alone, but you really aren't.
posted by Athanassiel at 11:29 PM on February 7
Best answer: I don't know if this holds true in Australia but in the US I would highly highly recommend talking to someone on your medical team about this. They want you to be in secure housing (hopefully they're compassionate caregivers but even if they're not they know that it's way more difficult to treat people dealing with homelessness). There may be social workers on staff at the very place(s) where you're already receiving treatment who can help you navigate the services available to you.
If you do end up unhoused, don't rule out emergency shelters. Yes, staying in a shelter sucks, but living in a tent sucks too. Exactly what is safer and what feels safer for you is going to depend on the specifics (some shelters can be scary), but don't rule out all shelters, especially if you don't have any substance use problems (a lot of shelters are very strict about substance use, which is one of the reasons some people choose not to use them).
And if you need a place to lock up your stuff, you may be able to rent a small storage unit or locker - I'm not sure if these are as ubiquitous in Aus as they are in the US, but I do some volunteering with unhoused people and a fair number of them have storage units.
posted by mskyle at 5:03 AM on February 8
If you do end up unhoused, don't rule out emergency shelters. Yes, staying in a shelter sucks, but living in a tent sucks too. Exactly what is safer and what feels safer for you is going to depend on the specifics (some shelters can be scary), but don't rule out all shelters, especially if you don't have any substance use problems (a lot of shelters are very strict about substance use, which is one of the reasons some people choose not to use them).
And if you need a place to lock up your stuff, you may be able to rent a small storage unit or locker - I'm not sure if these are as ubiquitous in Aus as they are in the US, but I do some volunteering with unhoused people and a fair number of them have storage units.
posted by mskyle at 5:03 AM on February 8
Best answer: Every service that's been recommended above and it's at all possible, move to somewhere with cheaper rents and get a stable situation there. You may have your doctors set up in the city where you live now but the stress of unstable or street living is going to overcome whatever they can do for you.
There are so many options between expensive rent and a tent, I have to think this is partially your anxiety talking to you.
posted by kingdead at 6:52 AM on February 8 [1 favorite]
There are so many options between expensive rent and a tent, I have to think this is partially your anxiety talking to you.
posted by kingdead at 6:52 AM on February 8 [1 favorite]
Best answer: There are so many options between expensive rent and a tent, I have to think this is partially your anxiety talking to you.
I don't want to speak for b33j, but you are wrong. There are not many options for people in her situation. The rental situation in populated areas of Australia is dire. Older women are doing it toughest. Unpopulated areas where rent may be only 50% of income do not have the services b33j requires for her health. We have areas the size of some smaller US states with no GPs or appointments take 6 months. B33j doesn't drive so moving to an isolated area is untenable.
Please don't disrespect her very valid concerns as her anxiety talking to her. Of course she is anxious. Her fears are incredibly well-founded.
posted by Thella at 7:14 PM on February 8 [2 favorites]
I don't want to speak for b33j, but you are wrong. There are not many options for people in her situation. The rental situation in populated areas of Australia is dire. Older women are doing it toughest. Unpopulated areas where rent may be only 50% of income do not have the services b33j requires for her health. We have areas the size of some smaller US states with no GPs or appointments take 6 months. B33j doesn't drive so moving to an isolated area is untenable.
Please don't disrespect her very valid concerns as her anxiety talking to her. Of course she is anxious. Her fears are incredibly well-founded.
posted by Thella at 7:14 PM on February 8 [2 favorites]
Best answer: To provide some context for non-Australian readers: the lack of housing and insane rental price increases have turned Australian housing into a huge social problem that is definitely much bigger than people realize and government responses are also highly inadequate, particularly given how fast things are escalating. Perhaps because most policymakers own homes already and are thus insulated from the rental market they don’t see how bad things have gotten since COVID?
There is a need for serious affordable housing solutions in all major Australian cities and many rural areas. We’re talking Singapore or NYC style housing for regular folks, the situation is that bad, and worse, it’s gotten this way super quickly since 2020.
Unfortunately an Airbnb (“is better / less risky”) mentality has taken hold, along with speculators who leave houses empty, aided by government policies that promote negative gearing, a major population shock due to COVID border closures that slowed down construction, which has been slow to adapt to the pent up demand, returning students and migrants, people working from home and thus not renting out their spare bedrooms, capital works projects that are grabbing up tradies who might otherwise be building houses, etc. etc. etc.
So if anyone has the modern equivalent of a balloon frame construction solution, they need to give the Australian federal Green Party a call. Our local Greens are typically NIMBY’s, at least here in Melbourne, but the federal contingent are pushing for more affordable housing. Or maybe someone should just form a new social housing party?
So B33j, I am sorry to hear that and on top of the various good ideas, my only suggestion is to see if there are any tiny home options?
posted by ec2y at 3:42 AM on February 9 [1 favorite]
There is a need for serious affordable housing solutions in all major Australian cities and many rural areas. We’re talking Singapore or NYC style housing for regular folks, the situation is that bad, and worse, it’s gotten this way super quickly since 2020.
Unfortunately an Airbnb (“is better / less risky”) mentality has taken hold, along with speculators who leave houses empty, aided by government policies that promote negative gearing, a major population shock due to COVID border closures that slowed down construction, which has been slow to adapt to the pent up demand, returning students and migrants, people working from home and thus not renting out their spare bedrooms, capital works projects that are grabbing up tradies who might otherwise be building houses, etc. etc. etc.
So if anyone has the modern equivalent of a balloon frame construction solution, they need to give the Australian federal Green Party a call. Our local Greens are typically NIMBY’s, at least here in Melbourne, but the federal contingent are pushing for more affordable housing. Or maybe someone should just form a new social housing party?
So B33j, I am sorry to hear that and on top of the various good ideas, my only suggestion is to see if there are any tiny home options?
posted by ec2y at 3:42 AM on February 9 [1 favorite]
Best answer: I'm sorry you're in this situation. A few more ideas:
I don't know how it works in Australia, but in the US it takes a while to evict people. You need to figure out the costs and benefits, but you might consider staying out in your current place until you're truly forced to leave, instead of leaving when the landlord tells you to.
You don't have friends or relatives to room with, but do you have any who might be willing to store your stuff? That might help your mental health a bit.
I assume that living somewhere cheaper and traveling back for medical appointments is not an option?
And that increasing your income is not an option?
When I was concerned about losing housing I developed a homelessness plan, scouting out spaces I could squat and access restrooms etc. at a local university. Start exploring with that in mind.
posted by metasarah at 11:48 AM on February 9 [2 favorites]
I don't know how it works in Australia, but in the US it takes a while to evict people. You need to figure out the costs and benefits, but you might consider staying out in your current place until you're truly forced to leave, instead of leaving when the landlord tells you to.
You don't have friends or relatives to room with, but do you have any who might be willing to store your stuff? That might help your mental health a bit.
I assume that living somewhere cheaper and traveling back for medical appointments is not an option?
And that increasing your income is not an option?
When I was concerned about losing housing I developed a homelessness plan, scouting out spaces I could squat and access restrooms etc. at a local university. Start exploring with that in mind.
posted by metasarah at 11:48 AM on February 9 [2 favorites]
Best answer: The Gold Coast is a nightmare. White you will have much longer transit, Brisbane and Logan have many more options for share housing.
Facebook has a lot of shonky deals but also tends to be where flatmates are advertised for.
Australian homelessness is different to the US. Logistics and resources.
I would definitely sign up for social housing now. Yeah there's years wait but get on the list now. Ring the homeless hotlines in the first few answers. Discuss it with your healthcare team and have that running parallel to social housing.
A lightweight backpack helped a friend of mine while he was homeless. Planet Fitness are probably the cheapest gym membership and network right now, and have showers etc. Identify the local libraries with outdoor spaces - having a cat is going to pose a particular challenge as there's no real social or structural model for cats on leashes. The recent legislation change means banning pets in rentals is not sthe baseline but it may still be an issue.
Look up Centrelink etc. look up accessing your super - one of the reasons for that age group becoming homeless is a lack of super and divorce.
posted by geek anachronism at 3:50 PM on February 9 [1 favorite]
Facebook has a lot of shonky deals but also tends to be where flatmates are advertised for.
Australian homelessness is different to the US. Logistics and resources.
I would definitely sign up for social housing now. Yeah there's years wait but get on the list now. Ring the homeless hotlines in the first few answers. Discuss it with your healthcare team and have that running parallel to social housing.
A lightweight backpack helped a friend of mine while he was homeless. Planet Fitness are probably the cheapest gym membership and network right now, and have showers etc. Identify the local libraries with outdoor spaces - having a cat is going to pose a particular challenge as there's no real social or structural model for cats on leashes. The recent legislation change means banning pets in rentals is not sthe baseline but it may still be an issue.
Look up Centrelink etc. look up accessing your super - one of the reasons for that age group becoming homeless is a lack of super and divorce.
posted by geek anachronism at 3:50 PM on February 9 [1 favorite]
Response by poster: Thank you all so very much for your thoughtfulness and compassion. It means a lot to me how many of you have come up with ideas and ask me to repost if it gets worse. I really can't say how moved I am by all your responses.
Just to fill in a few gaps, although I survived pretty well most of my life with undiagnosed ADHD and autism, the most recent sexual assault (about 2 years ago) gave me PTSD, which my GP accidentally overdosed me with lithium for, resulting in 2 weeks in hospital, including 4 days of dialysis, psoriaris scalp glue, hallucinations, and other things like aphasia and arthritis. My very good boss is willing to employ me but I can't think like I used to, and it hurts to sit at a desk. Increasing my income isn't possible, really. My boss is willing to hire me, but working is painful and so disheartening when I remember what I used to be able to do.
I have applied for disability pension, but that is now taking months to years to come through, so in the interim, I get job seeker with rent assistance which is about $200 less a week then the pension.
Also,if I work more than 8 hours a week for 6 weeks, welfare will think I'm healthy and push me to find full time work and cancel my pension claim (which is already 5 months old because Centrelink (welfare) are kept understaffed and undermanned.
You get put at the bottom of the waiting list if you currently have suitable accommodation which is 4 years long anyway.
The empty apartment next to me (same as mine) is now being advertised at $330 per week. I don't want to get put on a black list with real estate agents by being an unlawful tenant.
I really really want a tiny home (my superannuation can afford that), but I can't afford the land, and it must be on a public transport route, because I can't drive.
The anxiety IS its own issue. So many good answers here that I will follow up, but I will bring this anxiety up with my psychologist when I see him Tuesday.
posted by b33j at 6:53 PM on February 9 [3 favorites]
Just to fill in a few gaps, although I survived pretty well most of my life with undiagnosed ADHD and autism, the most recent sexual assault (about 2 years ago) gave me PTSD, which my GP accidentally overdosed me with lithium for, resulting in 2 weeks in hospital, including 4 days of dialysis, psoriaris scalp glue, hallucinations, and other things like aphasia and arthritis. My very good boss is willing to employ me but I can't think like I used to, and it hurts to sit at a desk. Increasing my income isn't possible, really. My boss is willing to hire me, but working is painful and so disheartening when I remember what I used to be able to do.
I have applied for disability pension, but that is now taking months to years to come through, so in the interim, I get job seeker with rent assistance which is about $200 less a week then the pension.
Also,if I work more than 8 hours a week for 6 weeks, welfare will think I'm healthy and push me to find full time work and cancel my pension claim (which is already 5 months old because Centrelink (welfare) are kept understaffed and undermanned.
You get put at the bottom of the waiting list if you currently have suitable accommodation which is 4 years long anyway.
The empty apartment next to me (same as mine) is now being advertised at $330 per week. I don't want to get put on a black list with real estate agents by being an unlawful tenant.
I really really want a tiny home (my superannuation can afford that), but I can't afford the land, and it must be on a public transport route, because I can't drive.
The anxiety IS its own issue. So many good answers here that I will follow up, but I will bring this anxiety up with my psychologist when I see him Tuesday.
posted by b33j at 6:53 PM on February 9 [3 favorites]
Best answer: I randomly saw a video about government-funded tiny homes in Queensland recently, meant to alleviate the effects of the housing crisis. I don't know if you'd qualify, but I wonder if you could phone up either your local politician in charge of housing, or the organization, and just ask. I just looked it up, and the supplier is called Alphaline Group. Many of the homes were on wheels. I know you don't drive, but a home on wheels might still be good to get around the land problem. At my local church, a guy lived on the lawn behind the community center for years. He just rolled up in a camper and asked if he could stay a while. But also, the people providing tiny homes probably already have thoughts on where to put them. Most people in crisis don't have access to a large property.
I hate that this is happening to you. Honestly, I'm angry. It's not right.
Please do keep us updated. Maybe start a GoFundMe once you have moving plans, to at least help with those expenses?
posted by toucan at 1:50 PM on February 10
I hate that this is happening to you. Honestly, I'm angry. It's not right.
Please do keep us updated. Maybe start a GoFundMe once you have moving plans, to at least help with those expenses?
posted by toucan at 1:50 PM on February 10
Best answer: You mentioned tiny homes - is your budget more like $10k, or $70k? This listing of a tiny home appears to be about 300m from the nearest bus stop.
facebook and flatmates.com.au are the places to look for rentals (and they definitely go cheaper than $300!). As someone with an established rental history you'll definitely have a leg up over e.g. students. The listings often specify what kind of people they're looking for, so you can look for options that say female only, seem welcoming to ND people, that kind of thing.
posted by womb of things to be and tomb of things that were at 1:32 AM on February 11 [1 favorite]
facebook and flatmates.com.au are the places to look for rentals (and they definitely go cheaper than $300!). As someone with an established rental history you'll definitely have a leg up over e.g. students. The listings often specify what kind of people they're looking for, so you can look for options that say female only, seem welcoming to ND people, that kind of thing.
posted by womb of things to be and tomb of things that were at 1:32 AM on February 11 [1 favorite]
Response by poster: My update.
Lovely, lovely mefites. Good news. While the rent increase was more than expected, it came through with a governmental increase of my welfare happened, AND a penultimate appointment was arranged to discuss my claim for a higher paid Disability Support Pension (DSP). Also my psychologist insists on giving me a significant discount (because it makes him feel good).
So I'm doing much better. I'm staying here for another year while I work out where would be a good place to live. Being on the DSP will give me other accommodation options, and one of the things I'm considering doing with my Superannuation (401K) when it comes through, is buying a campervan, and having my son (friends) come and relocate it if/when necessary.
You lot, with both public and private suggestions and very kind offers made life a lot better for me while I was waiting for the axe to fall. I can't thank you all enough. I really can't. Thank you. You helped.
posted by b33j at 11:19 PM on March 29 [9 favorites]
Lovely, lovely mefites. Good news. While the rent increase was more than expected, it came through with a governmental increase of my welfare happened, AND a penultimate appointment was arranged to discuss my claim for a higher paid Disability Support Pension (DSP). Also my psychologist insists on giving me a significant discount (because it makes him feel good).
So I'm doing much better. I'm staying here for another year while I work out where would be a good place to live. Being on the DSP will give me other accommodation options, and one of the things I'm considering doing with my Superannuation (401K) when it comes through, is buying a campervan, and having my son (friends) come and relocate it if/when necessary.
You lot, with both public and private suggestions and very kind offers made life a lot better for me while I was waiting for the axe to fall. I can't thank you all enough. I really can't. Thank you. You helped.
posted by b33j at 11:19 PM on March 29 [9 favorites]
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here
https://www.qld.gov.au/housing/public-community-housing
posted by chariot pulled by cassowaries at 4:57 PM on February 7 [3 favorites]