By Emily-Rose Toohey
An Australia-wide rental shortage has become a growing concern for the Granite Belt region as demand for houses has increased recently.
Crisp Real Estate owner Norman Crisp said this is due to a lack of new buildings, buyers purchasing established properties which requires tenants to relocate, and people moving to the region because of Coronavirus.
“I had a woman call me up in tears because she couldn’t find accommodation for her and her child,” Norman said.
“The demand is high, lots of people are looking and we can’t accommodate everyone.”
Granite Belt local Jackie Barron was living in Stanthorpe with her three young children, adult daughter and her three children, and their dog.
She said the owners of their rental sold the property and the family had 30 days to find new accommodation.
“The house went on sale on the Friday and was sold by the Monday,” Jackie said.
By 6 December, Jackie and her family were unable to find another rental and she now lives with her sister in Brisbane.
“We applied for rentals and spoke to the department, but we didn’t get a look in,” Jackie said.
“It’s very frustrating and very stressful.”
Jackie’s oldest daughter Tarah Werner said she moved in with a Stanthorpe-based friend but has been separated from her three children.
“I’ve tried everything – all the farms and real estates,” Tarah said.
However, Jackie said they are not the only people struggling to gain accommodation in the area.
“Nine people may apply for a house but only one person gets it – eight people still don’t have a home,” Jackie said.
With such a high demand for properties, Norman said there are limitations to what real estates can provide for people in these situations.
“There’s no easy fix,” Norman said.
