A growing number of people along Australia's east coast are living in vehicles due to a lack of affordable housing and rising costs, according to reports from support services and individuals affected.
"A 71-year-old man was denied further temporary accommodation and returned to sleeping in his car."
— Mandy Booker, Wollongong Homeless Hub
Key Findings
Support services in the Illawarra region report that frontline resources are at capacity, with increasing demand and more older Australians being unable to access housing or emergency accommodation. In Wollongong, homeless services assist up to 40 people per month who are sleeping rough.
Outreach teams report a rising number of individuals sleeping in cars, particularly around lakes, beach car parks, sand dunes, and stairwells. Short-term crisis accommodation often provides only temporary relief, with many returning to sleeping outside within days.
On the Gold Coast, a 61-year-old woman identified as Susan Morley has lived in her motorhome for three years while awaiting social housing. She became a self-funded retiree but lost her properties in 2016 after being a victim of fraud and was involved in a car accident that left her with chronic pain and unable to work. She camps in public spaces due to inability to afford rising rents, parks in well-lit public car parks at night, and stated she feels safer in her vehicle than with strangers.
Affected Demographics
Individuals living in vehicles include both those who choose this lifestyle and those who do not by choice, according to Rob, who has lived in his vehicle for nine years. Another individual, Bec, a former tenant living in a van in Wollongong, stated that repeated rent increases forced her into vehicle living.
Teresa Reed, founder of The Forgotten Women charity, stated that women aged 55 and over are among the fastest-growing groups experiencing homelessness in Australia. According to Reed, older women are pushed into homelessness by limited superannuation, separation, widowhood, and rising living costs.
Mandy Booker from Wollongong Homeless Hub reported that a 71-year-old man was denied further temporary accommodation and returned to sleeping in his car.
Official Responses and Data
In 2025, the City of Gold Coast council received approximately 3,000 complaints related to people living in cars and vans. A council spokesperson stated that people found sleeping in vehicles are offered support, and fines are issued only if move-on directions are ignored.
Kate Colvin, chief executive of Homelessness Australia, said people living in vehicles often have no other options and encouraged older women at risk to seek support early.
Proposed Solutions
Advocates have requested stronger long-term housing investment. Some have suggested formalizing designated van living areas as an affordable housing alternative.
Susan Morley stated she hopes to secure permanent housing soon, noting that living in the van is difficult for her and her dogs.