Hollie Johnson's been searching for a rental for eight months.
"I'm applying for 20 to 30 houses a week."
But she said she's constantly turned away despite willing to pay $750 a week, $80 more than the record breaking weekly median rent which is higher than what you'd pay in Auckland.
The mum-of-three, including her nearly 16-year-old, told 1News she's currently living in emergency accommodation.
She said that comes with stigma, and she wants landlords to give her a chance.
"As great as emergency housing can be if you're lucky enough to get a good place like I am, it's not a place for families."
The Bay of Plenty's just been crowned as having the highest weekly median rent in Aotearoa.
It's jumped to $670 — that's $20 more than in Auckland — according to the latest index released by Trade Me.
Tauranga Rentals' business manager Dan Lusby said demand has outstripped supply.
"At the moment on Trade Me you'll see we've only got about 170 properties available and we would have easily more than 1000 people flooding in a week."
The Western Bay of Plenty has seen a 14% jump in a year.
Lusby said that's because in places like Omokoroa and Paengaroa the houses are newer.
"New housing is definitely more expensive than the cheaper older style," he said.
Johnson said a three bedroom home had been listed recently for $1000 a week. "It's insane," she remarked.
"There's more to us than what's on paper and there is a stigma that's attached to us."
Despite her own struggle she said she sympathises with others who are also desperate for a home. She said when viewing a house she sometimes allows others a better chance at securing the property.
"You can't help but feel for them, so I sometimes take a step back," she said.
Trade Me's Gavin Lloyd said people in the Bay of Plenty are renting larger properties which cost more.
He also said the employment market is on the rise too.
"Seven per cent more listings coming to site through the Bay of Plenty, and an 11 per cent rise in salaries."
Meanwhile, Johnson is hopeful she'll find a house for her and her three children soon.
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