Belinda Duffy's Orange rental crisis ends after more than 100 applications

Fast-forward to November last year and she was given a no-grounds eviction. Ms Duffy was unable to find a house within the next 90 days so was given a three-month lease agreement.

Following on from that, she was given a further 30 days to find a home, but once again, she was unable to. She took the eviction to the housing tribunal and as a result was able to remain in her home until late September.

But after 110 rental applications, she finally found a new place for her family to call home.

"She told me in the house and I balled my eyes out. It was overwhelming and just amazing," Ms Duffy said of being told by by McGrath Estate Agents that her application had been approved.

"The housing crisis is ridiculous in Orange. It shouldn't be happening to anyone."

With five kids, she knew finding someone willing to rent to her would be tricky, but she never imagined it would take nine months.

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"I didn't know where we would be. You couldn't plan anything," she said.

"It's not a matter of choosing a house to live in, it's just a matter of what house someone approves.

"I didn't care what it looked like and I was looking for the cheaper properties because being a single mum of five you never know when you can't go to work."

All of this while also studying full time to become a nurse.

"It's affected that as well, but now, finally, I've got a bit of reprieve and know where we're going to be for the next 12 months and hopefully longer," Ms Duffy added.

But as tough as it was for her, she knows there are still others around the city still fighting for a place to live.

"It was ridiculous having to see 40 of the same people at the inspections," she said.

"There are still other families that are still in the same situation as me. I just don't understand why it's so hard."