Housing market squeezing Sharon Lee out of Orange

The mother-of-four has lived in Orange in NSW's Central Tablelands for the past 16 years and now finds herself homeless, forced to stay with a friend and unable to find a place where she, two of her kids and their pet dog can call their own.

"It never used to be like this," she said.

"Having limited income, you only can afford mid-range, so maybe up to $420 a week and there's very limited houses in that market."

She may now be forced out of her own city due to the rising rent costs and property boom.

"It seems like there are only a few houses in that $400-a-week range, but you have at least eight people each time going for that house," she said.

"I just want to have light at the end of the tunnel. Even if it means I have to leave my state, my friends and my family just to get structure and have that stability once again.

"I'll go wherever I need to, even if I don't know the place. I'm being proactive and doing everything above and beyond. Hopefully something will give."

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She is trying to remain optimistic, but the constant rejection is starting to wear.

"It makes me feel that I've lost hope," she added.

"Where can I get my foot into the door? It makes me feel sad that I can't give my children stability and I can't get a roof over my head. It's just upsetting and it's emotionally draining. It's taken its toll on me and my mental health."

But as much as she worries about her situation, she also fears for the younger generation.

"I don't want people to give up hope," Ms Lee added.

"I do believe that everyone will get a place when it's meant to happen, but at this given time with what's going on with the pandemic and people moving from the city to the country, there's just not many rentals available."