I'M A SINGLE MUM EARNING SIX FIGURES - ONE STEP OFF HOMELESSNESS

• Mum of two reveals her struggle finding a home in Sydney
• Impacted by the rental crisis? Email [email protected]  
• READ MORE:  Why Australia's housing crisis is expected to get even worse - and correcting it could take years

Kate never imagined that at 40 she would be back living with her mum and dad and sharing a king-sized mattress on the floor with her two young kids.

But that's been her reality for the past six months.

While Kate is grateful she has her elderly parents to lean on, unlike many others facing homelessness, she is another victim of the crippling rental crisis setting in across Australia.

On a salary of $100,000 a year, Kate is stuck in limbo. Agents continue to decline her rental applications yet she's earning 'too much' to be considered for government help to get on her feet.

'The scheme [I applied for] is aimed at helping domestic violence survivors rebuild their lives, helps with finding a home and paying a portion of the rent for three years,' she told FEMAIL.

'But my application wasn't processed when I first left my relationship and I have worked super hard to build up my financial situation so now I don't qualify.'

Despite earning too much to qualify for help, the mum also doesn't earn enough, in the eyes of many, to be considered for a rental property. 

She has applied for more than 100 rentals since her landlord announced they were moving back into the place she'd called home for five years.

'She was the best landlord, she gave me 90 days notice but told me not to worry if I went a bit over,' Kate said.

At first she was confident she would find a place, then weeks turned into months.

'We stayed five months past that original date. The landlord was sweet and didn't want us to have nowhere to go but I realised we wouldn't be able to get a place anywhere so moved back in with my parents,' she said.

The location, while safe, isn't ideal as it is away from Kate's work, the kids' school and her broader support network.

'Dad, who is an old man, drives the kids home from school when I am working late. He loves it but it can't go on forever.'

He spends up to three hours in the car a day helping his exhausted daughter out. 

Kate had never struggled to secure a rental when she was with her ex-partners - but took the brave step of 'breaking free' from a dangerous relationship and financing her young family alone.

She worked super hard to recover from being under someone else's financial control but continues to feel frustrated because 'it's like it doesn't matter'. 

The rental market was different then. She fears women will have to make the impossible decision to stay with abusers now because finding a safe home is so difficult for solo mums.

'Every single-mum Facebook Page has posts with the same story. No one will take us on - even if we can afford rent,' she said. 

She turns up to as many rental inspections as she can, has a glowing reference and the income to provide her family of three with a two-bedroom apartment near work and school.

'The agents aren't even wanting to have a conversation with you,' she said.

'I went to one inspection and the place had mould everywhere. I asked about it and he just tried telling me it isn't mould the paint just looks like that,' she said.

'The worst part is the rental market is so tight these places are rented out immediately.' 

She is hoping to have her own roof over the kids' heads soon.

'They don't mind so much - they love sleeping with me. But I really need my own space,' she said. 'I am never alone. I have nowhere to go that's just for me.' 

 She has also criticised Anthony Albanese's government for failing her and many others.

'He grew up in a single parent household, went on and on about protecting women and families, and has done nothing. If anything he has made everything worse,' she said.

'Kids are ending up on the street.'

She's 'asked for help' but been given the same infuriating answers time after time: 'They can't give me any support unless I am officially homeless,' she said.

She also claims the government as a whole simply isn't taking the issue seriously.

'Even if they put rent caps on now - housing is too expensive or not available, they should have capped things years ago,' she said.

'I got out of a violent relationship and now I feel like I am being financially abused by our government. Single mums have it hard,' she said. 

And she's been left frustrated by people in the community.

'They will ask why I am living with my parents in my forties, tell me to get my life together,' she said.

She has always been independent and says she is shocked to be where she is.

'But it isn't because I don't have my life together - it's the state of the housing crisis,' she said.

While Kate hasn't completely given up on finding a rental in Sydney she has become deeply disenchanted by the process.

'I can't stay with my parents forever and I don't want to put pressure on them or our relationship,' she said.

'I have been saving for the one per cent deposit scheme - if I buy we won't have to go through this again.' 

If you need help with Domestic Violence call 1800 RESPECT (1800 737 732)

1800 RESPECT is a 24-hour national sexual assault, family and domestic violence counselling line for any Australian who has experienced, or is at risk of, family and domestic violence and/or sexual assault. 

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2024-05-04T10:31:47Z dg43tfdfdgfd