Housing worries? Support and advice for carers
Housing can be one of the biggest uncertainties carers face when thinking about the future.
Renting, housing options and long-term stability are common concerns, especially when supporting someone living with mental health challenges and thinking about what the future might look like.
In February, more than 40 mental health carers joined our Future Planning housing workshops (in person and online), to learn about housing options, renters’ rights and where to find support.
We invited three guest speakers working across different parts of the housing system to share their knowledge and practical advice.
Why stable housing comes first
Ryan Twomey from Micah Projects shared how the service supports people who are struggling to find or keep housing.
Carers can drop in for an initial conversation with the person they support. From there, staff can help explore options such as housing referrals, crisis accommodation or connecting with other services.
Ryan also outlined longer-term housing pathways. This can include applying for Department of Housing, where applications are prioritised based on vulnerability, or exploring community housing providers, where rent is generally around 25% of a person’s income.
Micah Projects works from a “housing first” approach, recognising that stable housing is often the first step in helping people move forward.
“If you’re in crisis and looking for housing, it’s very hard to focus on anything else,” Ryan explained.
For carers, the message was simple: you don’t have to deal with housing challenges alone.
Renting issues? Know your rights
Rental issues can feel confusing and stressful, especially when you’re supporting someone while managing a tenancy. “Our role is to help renters understand their rights and the options available to them,” Amy Tidbold from Tenants Queensland explained.
Amy spoke about the QSTARS advice service, which provides free tenancy advice for renters across Queensland.
The service helps people renting in private rentals, social housing, caravan parks and rooming accommodation understand their rights, communicate with landlords or agents, complete tenancy forms and navigate dispute processes.
For carers, the key message was clear: free advice is available if rental problems arise.
🔗 Tenants Queensland
🔗 QSTARS advice service
Housing support for older women
Ashley Campbell from the Housing Older Women’s Support Service (HOWSS) at Footprints Community spoke about the growing number of older women experiencing housing stress.
The service supports women over 50, and First Nations women over 45, across Queensland who are struggling to secure stable housing.
Ashley explained that housing insecurity for older women often builds over time.
“Things like the gender pay gap, superannuation, time spent in caring roles, divorce settlements and domestic and family violence can all compound over a lifetime,” she said.
Many women she meets say they had been managing for years before something changed.
“They often say, ‘I’ve been okay all this time, so why now?’”
Alongside intake support and case management, the service runs housing workshops and informal coffee catch-ups where women can connect, ask questions and learn about housing options.
“We’re trying to create spaces for connection and information so women can start taking steps themselves,” Ashley said.
For carers facing housing questions, knowing where to turn can make all the difference.
