Spotlight on: Community Housing Limited (Queensland)
Things haven’t been easy for Kylee and her children. Six years ago, while pregnant and looking after her three young children, Kylee found herself homeless after leaving a long-term abusive relationship.
Kylee sought assistance from the Queensland Department of Housing, who put Kylee in touch with CHL.
Kylee and her children were initially assigned to CHL’s emergency accommodation, before being placed in short-term housing for two years, and then long-term housing, which is where they have remained.
'I (used to) move around all the time and I've been here for six years. I didn't think in two weeks I was going to find a home,' but Kylee did and it's 'the longest I've ever been in one place.'
Having access to secure and stable housing has provided Kylee and her children with much needed stability, and they have been able to embrace school life and study.
'The kids are stable in their school life, and I feel like I’m parenting better,' said Kylee.
Through her journey to find secure, stable housing, Kylee developed a passion for helping others, leading her to complete studies in community services in disability with Community Employement Australia. This has allowed Kylee to secure a full-time job, helping youth with complex behavioural issues. In her spare time, Kylee is also advocating for her local electorate to develop an initiative that brings awareness and understanding to residents in her community about violence, an issue which is very important to her.
Kylee praises CHL with helping her and her family create a stable life and believes that when an opportunity like CHQL presents itself, 'take the opportunity.... I don’t think I would be here if I weren’t so stable in my home. It’s like being given a chance to be mentally well.'