Avril
Avril, a former English and gymnastics teacher, has been living in her Maroochydore unit complex since 2016. She moved from Brisbane when she was accepted under the National Rental Affordability Scheme (NRAS). It was the only affordable option that would allow her to live on the Sunshine Coast.
Avril’s mother, Margaret, 93, had also been living in the same complex until her deteriorating health saw her move into a local aged care home. Avril is her mother’s sole carer and needs to remain close by.
Under NRAS, Avril could pay her rent costs and live on a single pension. “I knew when the scheme ended and my unit returned to market rent, it would take more than half my pension and it would be impossible to make ends meet,’’ she said.
In 2020, Avril went to the Housing Service Centre for advice but did not meet the eligibility criteria for social housing. In 2023 Avril learned that her rent would increase to $495 per week and she faced the prospect of having to move away from the Sunshine Coast. Fortuitously, another NRAS lease became available in her complex for a further 6 months. She moved in, but it was only a temporary solution.
It was at this time Coast2Bay Housing Group had funding from the Queensland Government’s Housing Investment Fund to buy established properties, many of them under the NRAS scheme, to retain as community housing. The team worked with Avril to progress and confirm her application with the Department. In February this year, Avril was approved for longer-term housing and Coast2Bay were able to offer her the opportunity to stay in her unit.
“When I was told I had been approved for housing and could stay in my home, it was if an enormous weight had been lifted from me.” Avril said.
“Staying in the complex allows me to continue my use of the gym, saving costs, meet up with locals and friends for coffee and a chat and go to aqua classes. I’m close to health professionals for me and Mum and best of all I’m able to visit Mum at anytime. As her only support person it has been a life saver. Otherwise, I would have moved – I cannot imagine the alternative. I’m so grateful to Coastal2Bay and staff for their time and patience, enabling me to stay where I love.”
Safe, secure housing means Avril can continue to enjoy her community and support her mother, as long as she may need it.
Brendan and Baylin
We have some very close communities with tenants looking after each other. This was highlighted during the COVID-19 lockdown when our NRAS Tenancy Manager, Kerry was doing welfare checks and was told the following story.
Tenants Brendan and his son Baylin designed and printed some flyers with their contact number and delivered to the letter boxes of elderly neighbours in the complex. The flyers stated, if anyone needed help with anything to give them a call. Jackie one of the tenants was so appreciative of Brendan and Baylin’s help she said , “He is an angel and a very caring man”.
Brendan then set about looking after neighbours in the complex, checking on their health and requirements. They shopped for toilet paper and tissues when they were in short supply with nine-year old Baylin doing the dash to the supermarkets to see if there were new supplies in store.
Sometimes it’s the little things that count most!
Joy’s Story
“In 2015 my son and I left a very difficult family situation and moved to the Sunshine Coast. Fast forward to 2018, I became a Kabi Kabi member and developed friendships through a local church and community. In November my lease was not renewed and we had nowhere to move. I visited Kabi Kabi but there was no accommodation available. I continued to search for a rental property but price and demand made it very difficult. At several open houses over 50 people attended. My friend had a house that was in desperate need of repair with no running water and a leaky roof. It provided a temporary solution but was over an hour’s drive from my support network. I kept in contact with the Kabi Kabi staff who were kind and supportive as I continued to search for a house.
In January, the week before school started, I received a phone call telling me that a house was available. I had been approved by the Kabi Kabi board which was such a wonderful blessing. Kabi Kabi manage their houses through Coast2Bay Housing Group. This is where I met the wonderful team who made the paperwork simple. This included setting up payments for bond, rent and water.
Now my son is settled into his first year at school and is thriving, my daughter knows all the parks and neighbours, and we have maintained the same support networks. Most importantly we have a house that has turned into a home.”
“I am so grateful for the home I have now. It is beautiful and the kids are safe to play outside with the friends they have made. I was living beyond my means and now I can save a little each fortnight and not freak out when the bills come in
Krissy’s Story
“In the past I was employed as a marketing manager who travelled and had a relatively good life. When my family home burnt down I was 16 days late with insurance so lost everything. Subsequently my relationship broke down and I was diagnosed with a variety of health issues. My children and I were homeless for approximately 9 months and we were forced to couch surf.
A worker at Centrelink helped me obtain a Disability Support Pension and assisted with lodging a housing application. I was then offered a Community Managed Studio Unit at the Gold Coast but, as all my family and support networks were on the Sunshine Coast, I applied for a transfer and was successful. Eight years’ later I’ve completed a few courses and I now work on a casual basis.
My journey has had a lot of ups and downs but I’ve made good progress and I now have a companion dog who has saved my sanity.”
“Coast2Bay Housing Group has offered me safe, secure housing which has been a crucial part of my healing”
Holly’s Story
“For the last few years I have rented from Coast2Bay Housing Group starting in Landsborough as a single mother of one. It has taken away some financial strains due to affordability. Not only is the housing new and situated in ideal locations on the beautiful Sunshine Coast, renting from Coast2Bay Housing Group has lead me to the opportunity of gaining full time employment at the new hospital. Moving closer to the hospital in recent years, I am minutes away from a sought-after school and minutes from work. My mum and her cousin have also had the opportunity to rent close by and it’s brilliant to have my mother in the same townhouse complex. All the organisation’s staff are polite, understanding and welcoming”