A hidden face of homelessness is emerging as a rental crisis takes hold across West Gippsland.

A Warragul family say they are that hidden face – a young family trying desperately to find a rental property when demand is so high.

David Reid, Alicia Youlden Reid and their four-year-old son Hamish want a home to call their own.

Twelve months ago they were forced to make some tough and heartbreaking decisions when they both found themselves unemployed in a COVID environment.

They struggled for as long as they could in their Yarragon home, thankful for the financial support of their families to keep them afloat.

But, determined not to end up with a bad credit rating, they decided moving out was their only option.

Davyd says their story is common, individuals and families forced to couch surf while they get back on their feet.

A State Government rental assistance package announced in June last year, came too late for Davyd and Alicia.

“We’d already jumped.  Our parents were helping us out to meet the shortfall but how much money do we ask them for,” Alicia said.

Davyd and Alicia were luckier than some, the generosity of a friend who took them in gave them more than a couch.  But, 12 months later, they want a place to call their own.

Davyd says they have become the “hidden face” of homelessness in the community – a young family, now earning a decent income but struggling to break back into a market flooded by increasing demand.

Real estate property managers in Warragul, Drouin and Trafalgar say the local market was inundated by tenants looking for homes.

It is a story similar to other regional areas where higher rental prices and property shortages are contributing to a rental crisis.

Grateful for the generosity of a friend who took them in, Davyd and Alicia know it’s time to find their own place.

David has full time work and Alicia works part time as a support and disability worker while in the final semester of teaching studies.

“We are in a position to get our own place and support ourselves.  We are even a little better off than we were before COVID.  We aren’t a risk,” Davyd said.

But in recent weeks they have been knocked back on five houses, whereas in the past they always got them straight away.  The only feedback they are given is “sorry you missed out.”

Davyd and Alicia have joined queues for open day inspections and are frustrated that they are on multiple agents’ lists, only to be told all too often that a house isn’t available and then it is filled before being advertised.

“We are responsible tenants.  We just want something that’s secure for Hamish.

“We moved out thinking it would be only six months but now it’s dragging out and we are struggling to get something.

“We are better off than some people, we haven’t had to go between friends…but we thought it would be just short term,” Davyd said.

Alicia is positive and optimistic they will find something.

“Davyd has a good job, I’m nearly finished my course and I think it’s only going to get better,” she said.