While ratings of Aussies are choosing to call a van home while they take a trip the nation momentarily, for some like Tania Davies, “it’s a necessity” and all they have. And as councils proceed punishing unlawful outdoor camping in parking area throughout Australia, she claims it’s obtaining harder and harder for her to live.
The Queensland female, in her 50s, has actually invested nearly 3 years calling a van home with her spouse David after all of a sudden coming to be homeless. They were paying $320 rental fee for a two-bedroom home in Eagleby,Logan But as a low-income income earner, it came to be expensive.
“It was so bad, we were struggling,” she told Yahoo News Australia.
Rising rental prices meant they were choosing what to spend their money on — food or bills or rent — because they couldn’t afford all three. Eventually, they were left with no choice but to move out. Their beloved red van was all they had to call home, while others have been forced into tents.
With nowhere to go, the couple left their vehicle at a local park where they had access to public bathrooms, including showers. But Logan City Council recently “cut them off” and forced her and others to move on. The same has happened at various parks within the area, she claimed.
“They didn’t want us there, but never gave directions on where to park safely and legally,” she said. “It’s illegal to sleep in cars, but where else do you go?”
Tourist boom throughout Australia adding to expanding issue
In current times, a tourist boom has actually seen campers and backpackers take a trip the nation resting and enduring of vans and campers which has actually added to a surge in “unlawful outdoor camping” at parking area and parks throughout the nation. According to Davies, it suggests that campers parks are no more an alternative for homeless individuals either.
“Travellers have always been there, but when they see a homeless van they think ‘Oh I can park there too’. Then the rangers come and move us all on,” she explained.
“Caravan parks now don’t take permanent residencies, if you can find a caravan park that is available. And most are now over $50 to stay a night”.
More Aussies becoming homeless
In the past two years, Davies, who works casually at Big W, has observed a steady increase in people becoming homeless with those in their 40s and 50s being without a home for the first time. Nationally, 122,494 people are estimated to be experiencing homelessness, the latest data shows.
“They’ve had houses, the prices have gone up and they can’t do it anymore, so they’re living in cars,” she stated. “The council here has tried to help by offering housing, but the problem is the ongoing costs of housing is what stops us. It’s getting worse”.
She additionally kept in mind that individuals with homes are battling as well. “People that we know that are actually able to pay their rent are working their lives away. They don’t have time for their kids, they’re just working. It’s disgusting.”
Rental increases contributing to housing crisis
The median rent in Eagleby for houses is now $500 per week. In 2021 it was roughly $320. In the past year alone, rental prices in the area have increased by 8.4 per cent according to relaestate.com.au data. Similar figures are felt across the state.
Across the country, it’s much the same with Perth experiencing a 13.6 per cent increase year-on-year, while in Melbourne it’s 9.6 per cent. Sydney and Adelaide have also felt a sharp 9 per cent increase, according to CoreLogic data.
More than half of Queenslanders who have applied for social housing are homeless and are waiting more than two years, amid a lack of supply and skyrocketing demand. In Queensland, there’s some 25,000 people in the queue — and that figure is worse in other states. In NSW for example, 60,000 people are waiting for government homes.
The state government is trying to tackle the growing housing issue with the Homes for Queenslanders plan — a $3.1 billion funding boost to deliver one million homes, including 53,500 social properties, by 2046.
But for Davies, that’s not the answer.
Councils urged to allow space for people in vehicles to park
For Tania and husband David, who is unable to work because of injury, van life is ideal as it takes away the pressure of finding affordable housing — they just need somewhere to park “safely and legally” she said.
“To tell you the truth, all we need is the van and it’s been a real eye-opener, she said. Despite being homeless, she admits they are “a lot happier”.
“We don’t have the pressure of knowing when to pay which bill and where the money will come from. I’d say most low-income people are in the same situation,” she included. ” I don’t think society is easy to live in anymore because of the cost.”
Living in a van has actually permitted Davies and her spouse to“breathe again” They can currently consume everyday and she’s appreciative. She’s currently assisting others in a comparable scenario locate appropriate charities and plans for a hassle-free life
“We have food, we pay what bills we have, we have petrol, we pay the insurance. We don’t panic anymore. I just wonder why the councils won’t let us live like this,” she said. “We simply require to be permitted to park and remain someplace secure. Owning a home is not practical for everybody.”
Queensland male Paul Tyler shares Davies’ sight. He’s formerly contacted councils around the nation to reveal even more empathy for those oversleeping their cars.
He stated in the middle of one of the worst cost-of-living and housing crises on record, it’s “disgusting” that councils are sending out workers bent on “hunt for struggling people” to “issue fines” which can be as long as $800.
Thankfully Davies has actually just ever before been provided a caution.
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