New home helps family out of homelessness

Last updated: 

4 January 2022 3:00PM  

First published: 

4 January 2022 2:24PM

Todd and his son are enjoying their new home, after being homeless for 4 months.

“I love our new home. It’s beautiful,” Todd said.

“The best thing is knowing that my son and I have a safe place to live because I was homeless for 4 months before moving here and was living out of my car.”

Todd said that before he became homeless, he was renting in the private market.

“I was renting a 4-bedroom house and the landlord increased the rent and then wouldn’t renew the lease,” he said.

“Rental properties are hard to find in Bundaberg and in other regional areas at the moment.”

Todd went to his local Housing Service Centre to get housing help and was happy to move into a new social housing complex run by community housing provider, Regional Housing Limited.

Despite the tough time before moving to his new home, Todd feels positive about the experience.

“Where we live now is so much better than the 4-bedroom house we were renting. What we have now is so much better quality,” Todd said.

“Even though we have moved from a 4-bedroom home to a 2-bedroom home, it’s been a great move because it’s big enough for me and my son, it’s easy to clean and I don’t have to mow the lawn. I love it.”

Todd said that the location of their new home is very convenient.

“I have a job as a cleaner and my son goes to high school, so it’s easy for me to get to work and easy for my son to ride his bike or walk to school,” he said.

Having good neighbours makes their new home a great place to live too.

“I’ve spoken to a few neighbours and they all seem nice, and the neighbourhood is quiet,” he said.

“It’s important to have good neighbours and I’m conscious of the noise I make when I leave for my night shift.

“I’ve spoken to the neighbours and checked I’m not making too much noise because I don’t want to disturb their sleep.”

When Todd isn’t busy working, he likes to go fishing.

“I usually catch something, but I always put the fish back. I find fishing really relaxing and enjoy the peace and quiet,” Todd said.