A Sunshine Coast woman and her elderly mother who faced living in a tent have been overwhelmed with support after people from far and wide opened their hearts to help them find a home.
Sunshine Coast News published the “breaking point” story of Jayanne Hughes and her 70-year-old mother Dianne last Friday.
Ms Hughes revealed she was running out of time to find somewhere safe to live after having 70 rental applications rejected.
The mother and daughter and their two pets were given until December 7 to vacate their Alexandra Headland rental home of nearly 17 years, and after four months applying for properties with no luck, faced the harsh reality of homelessness.
Thanks to an incredible show of support, Ms Hughes has now been able to secure a home in Gympie and wanted to thank the hundreds of people who came forward with offers to help after reading her story.
“I’ve been overwhelmed, I’ve been in tears since Friday reading it all,” she said.
“The Sunny Coast has amazed me. I am so proud to be from here. Mum and I are so grateful.”
“I have had hundreds of messages on Facebook. I’ve been trying to reply to everyone to say thank you.”
An emotional Ms Hughes credited Sunshine Coast News for helping shine a light on the frightening crisis so many people in the region are facing due to the current rental shortage.
She said she had even received support from readers interstate.
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“I’ve been offered everything from sharing people’s houses, to living in cottages on their properties, to campervans being delivered and caravans for us to stay in. It’s just been phenomenal.
“I’ve had a lady that’s wanted to travel five and a half hours down here and put a caravan on a friend’s property on the Sunshine Coast.
“I’ve had friends from New South Wales who read the story, I’ve had friends in Bundaberg who read the story.”
Ms Hughes said she hoped sharing her story would pave the way for others in a similar situation and believed something needed to be done on a local level to offer help where it is needed.
“My whole objective was to get the story out there that this is happening to so many people on the Sunshine Coast.
“I’ve rattled my brain – how do you work it so that locals aren’t forced to leave?
“It’s got to be an even playing field. It should go on your rentals and your references, not how much extra money you can offer.
“You don’t get many houses for $350 and cheaper, and then people come in and offer extra money or 12 months upfront.
“I wish that everyone in this predicament could have the chance that we have just had.”
