Christmas is supposed to be filled with joy but for some, they can’t afford to be joyous with the looming threat of homelessness on their shoulders.
We have all felt the tightening of belts since the cost-of-living began, but for those who are renting, it’s so much worse.
A single mother who was shocked to be notified that her rent would increase to more than double the amount just days from Christmas now has fears that she will become homeless before the New Year.
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Jakki Brooking, from Perth, Australia, took to TikTok after she was told that the home she has been living in with her son for six years will increase by $330 per week from 1 January.
Even though the 28-year-old had been able to pay lower rent under The National Rental Affordability Scheme as she is a registered nurse, the increase that she now has to pay is too much for the mother to afford.
It all started when her home was bought by new owners who decided to list the house for sale on the open market after anticipating the increased rental income would be more beneficial than the 2008 federal government programme.
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This programme was introduced to provide financial incentives for investors so that they could rent out homes to low-income workers at below-market rates.
Brooking said in her clip: “My lease is up on the 1st of January, I've applied to houses and been rejected for all of them.
“I just don't know what I'm meant to do now. This is literally so embarrassing. [I'm] facing homelessness from the end of the lease.”
But this crisis comes after a sharp increase in the price of rental properties in Perth in the past year.
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Having risen by 19 percent, this has led to immense housing stress for those who are no longer able to afford to live in their own homes.
Commenters under the TikTok completely understood the mum's struggles and fears.
One person wrote: “Working was an registered nurse means you should be able to afford rent easily! What is this world coming to? I'm so sorry.”
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Another commented: “The housing in Australia is ridiculous, no one should be paying $600 a week to live in a house.”
However, there were those who said it wasn’t the homeowners’ fault that they needed to increase the rent, as mortgage costs have risen too.
One commenter wrote: “Remember, property owners are dealing with ongoing interest rate hikes, repairs, maintenance, damages, land tax, insurance, land and water rates etc.”
Another said: “Not defending the new owners at all but $630 is probably their minimum mortgage repayment for the loan. My mortgage has doubled nearly”.
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Thankfully, Brooking has since updated worried fans to confirm that has found a home for her don and animals whilst she looks for alternative housing options.
Britt Jones