Local Kim Streater was pushed to the brink of homelessness following a sudden rent rise three months ago.
But a timely government subsidy will save the day for the 51-year-old.
Ms Streater has lived in the same home for the past 14 years.
In August, her landlord increased the rent by $150 a week.
As single person paying almost $600 a week in rent, her budget was already stretched thin, and the extra cost was beyond what she could afford.
“I work full time as a vocational trainer and still struggle to make ends meet,” Ms Streater said.
“We’re in a rental crisis, so I couldn’t go anywhere else.
“I don’t have any family or siblings – it’s just me in the world.”
Ms Streater is joining more than 370 Logan households receiving rental support from the state government.
She will receive a $3804 rental security subsidy, which covers around 45 per cent of her rent for the next 12 weeks while she tries to find a housemate.
“I didn’t suspect that at age 51 I’d be looking for a housemate, but it is what it is,” she said.
“I’m so grateful and lucky to still be where I am.”
Ms Streater will also receive a $670 tenancy assist grant to cover other bills and part of her bond.
“It so relieving,” she said.
“I feel like I’ve won the lotto.
“It sounds pathetic, but now I can go buy some stuff – luxuries you don’t have as a single person trying to keep a roof over your head, like nice bread or takeaway.”
Ms Streater has been relying on free food services like Lighthouse Care to survive, and is dependent on “buy now, pay later” services.
“I’ve been living on Afterpay,” she said
“I’ve been using it to buy Coles and Woolworths gift cards, and a couple of times I’ve gone to Lighthouse Care.
“They’re amazing and I was really humbled.”
In the last three months more than $1.2 million in rental assistance has passed through the Logan housing service centre, providing hundreds of locals with rent subsidies, bond loans, and grants.
This is more than any other area in the state.
Around 170 local households are receiving multiple support packages.
Over the same three-month period, thousands of Queensland households have received rental support, totalling almost $10 million.
The program also provides assistance for women and their children who are either homeless, or at risk of becoming homeless, because of domestic violence.
Those in need can apply at qld.gov.au/housing/renting/rent-assistance/financial.
