Housing helps Tyrease and Bianca start planning a positive future

Last updated: 

28 May 2021 1:51PM  

First published: 

28 May 2021 1:33PM

It’s not easy for many young people starting out on their own, and Tyrease and Bianca had been missing the security of a place to call home for a few years before turning to the Logan Housing Service Centre for help.

“Tyrease and Bianca had been homeless which included couch surfing and living with parents in untenable situations,” says Alex, RentConnect Officer with Logan Housing Service Centre. “Their situation wasn’t safe, but they were all out of options when they came to me.”

The couple were newly pregnant with their first child, so were particularly vulnerable without a roof over their head.

“They’re young and they had some barriers to entering the private rental market,” says Alex. “They had no rental history and weren’t seen as favourable applicants for a rental. They also needed some support around parenting and caring for a baby. The stress of not having a safe place to live wasn’t helping.”

Alex talked with Tyrease and Bianca about their lives and goals, not just their housing situation.

“We had a really thorough, holistic conversation, going through what they wanted, their education, parenting support they needed, what they wanted long term. From there we referred to Wesley Mission to help with other supports that were going to help them achieve these goals.”

Alex contacted Mangrove Housing and advocated for the couple as candidates for a headlease property through their Community Rent Scheme initiative. The Housing Service Centre assisted with a bond loan and rental grant to help them secure the property as they didn’t have any savings.

Alex says the approach will help the couple be housed, supported and then build their ability to take over their lease and rent in the private market themselves.

“They are being supported by Wesley Mission through help with parenting, budgeting, health and wellbeing, cleaning or maintaining the property, helping them following up on goals. Tyrease wants to continue his education and get upskilled.”

Another part of Tyrease and Bianca’s plan is to apply for kinship care of their young niece and nephew so Alex ensured the property they move into was large enough to accommodate the children if it eventuated.

“If they get kinship care it would be the dream outcome. They realise it’s a huge responsibility but they’re working on getting the skills they need to do it.”

Alex says the couple are thrilled with the support they’ve received.

“When I first met them, they looked dejected and depressed. When I saw them in their new home, their faces and body presented so differently, they were so grateful, they had hope.

Alex will continue to check in with the couple.

“They’re now in their first rental and have already got one foot in the door in terms of the private market. They have broken the mould, for generations their families had been in public housing, and there was violence, they don’t want that. They want to live a life of peace with their family. This supports them in doing that.”