A little help puts Allan on the path to recovery

Published: 

28 March 2022 3:03PM

Despite days of rain, when Allan checked the creek near his house in Grantham on Sunday 27 February, he wasn’t worried.

“Within three minutes the water was up to my knees. It just happened so fast.”

“It was concerning more than frightening,” says Allan.

The 63-year-old rents the lower floor of a private rental home in Grantham, which he had to flee with his two elderly dogs, who mean a lot to him. Luckily Allan and his dogs all escaped safely.

Allan was taken by boat to the Gatton evacuation centre where he was helped by Anita and John from the Toowoomba and South West Housing team. They worked with him to apply for a financial hardship grant and found temporary motel accommodation   until he could return home.

They also took Allan to the hospital as he had cut his foot in the flooding, and it had become badly infected.

“He lost everything,” says Anita. “His car, motorbikes, everything in his home, he literally has nothing.”

“We organised accommodation in a local motel for him straight away. We arranged with Council for his dogs to go to a shelter so they were looked after while he was away from his home.”

Allan was enormously grateful for the assistance John and Anita gave him.

“They were very kind and helpful,” says Allan.

Anita and John are continuing to check in with Allan to assist him transition into a long term housing situation that suits his needs.

For housing support call 13 QGOV (13 74 68) or visit your nearest Housing Service Centre.