'Buy a tent': Single mother turned away by crisis services

A single mother of four, Tiffany Emmerson, was refused assistance by multiple homelessness and housing services in Townsville, Australia. She and her children had been couch surfing since December 2025 after separating from her partner. The prospect of living in her car frightened her and left her children confused. Despite reaching out to every available service, she was told to "buy a tent and find somewhere to pitch it."

No shelters or emergency accommodation were available, and many people were living in tents around the city. RentConnect, a service aiding private rental housing, refused to assist her due to financial requirements. Tiffany, who has an approved application for public housing, remains uncertain when she might receive a home. The Townsville Housing and Homeless Network chair, Kym Musumeci, expressed frustration over the lack of progress in establishing a dedicated homeless shelter, despite lobbying for over two years.

The Queensland Housing Minister acknowledged the addition of 110 social and affordable homes and ongoing construction of 349 homes, but did not confirm plans for a homeless shelter. Meanwhile, over 1 tonne of waste was removed from three illegal camps last week. The opposition's housing spokesperson, Meaghan Scanlon, criticized the government for cutting $42 million in crisis accommodation funding, emphasizing the unacceptable situation of families being told there's nothing they can do.