A nurturing home for family of 9
- Published:
- 16 February 2021 11:05AM
Our housing staff rely on strong relationships with community partners to deliver the best outcomes for our customers. The solutions our staff deliver must also be flexible to the changing needs of customers.
Sam is one customer who was assisted in her recent search for a home, thanks to Inala Housing Service Centre staff’s relationships and flexibility.
Sam was housed through the Inala Housing Service Centre under the Next Step Home initiative. The Next Step Home - Women on Parole program supports women exiting correctional centres into affordable accommodation for up to 12 months and assists them build and maintain a rental history. The Next Step Home program works with Queensland Corrective Services and SERO4 Projects.
The Inala Housing Service Centre team were working with Sam to find a place for her to live, along with her daughter and new husband Damien. Damien’s six children came suddenly into the full-time care of Damien and Sam, having previously lived with his ex-partner.
“Initially we were looking for a house for three people, then it turned into a family of nine,” said RentConnect officer Bridie.
The challenge didn’t put them off. Bridie and the RentConnect team discussed the areas the family wanted to live, gave them a list of suburbs within their price range, and reached out to local real estate agents to advocate for the family.
“They didn’t have a rental history,” says Bridie. “But I explained to an agent that I had no worries about the couple’s ability to rent the property and that they were good candidates, and they have our support.”
Through the agent Bridie found a four-bedroom house a street away from the special school one of the children attends.
“It’s perfect for them,” she says.
Sam says that she and the family are very happy in their place.
“It is so much bigger, so we aren’t on top of each other,” she says. “It’s really good, the kids go to school across the road.”
Bridie will continue to check in on the family to ensure they’re still able to meet their rent, and whether they need further support.
“We’ll continue to work with them to identify any issues before they become a problem and continue to help them to get assistance from other community organisations that can help.”
Bridie says that it’s a great outcome because the family has transitioned into the extremely competitive private rental market and created a safe home for the children.
“Sam and Damien demonstrate persistence and resilience throughout the whole experience when others may lose hope.”