When rising costs push families into homelessness

Finding strength after homelessness

Ruby was only eight when her family became homeless. Like many other people across Australia, the increased cost of living and rental prices made it difficult to find a home.

Ruby’s story: from home to homeless

Ruby adored her dad, Justin. She loved spending time with him and wanted to be just like him when she grew up. Unfortunately, single-dad Justin unexpectedly lost his job at the same time their rent increased.

Justin went to countless interviews but after a few months, his savings were gone, and he simply couldn't pay the rent anymore.

Rent and expenses have just gone up so much, we couldn't stay.

Heartbreakingly, the family was evicted. With barely enough money for food, let alone a cheap motel room, the only option for Justin and Ruby was to move into a friend's garage.

We could only take a few things – like school and cooking stuff. We slept in the garage, it was awful. I had to say goodbye to my home.

The last thing any parent wants for their child is homelessness. Justin tried desperately to protect Ruby from the harsh reality of their situation.

Sadly, in the next hour, 3,000 Australians like Justin will reach out to homelessness services like Mission Australia for help.¹

Dad wanted me to keep doing well at school. I tried to do my homework but there wasn’t much space. I was embarrassed and didn’t want my friends to know I was living in a garage.

Support that made a difference

Mission Australia found Justin and Ruby temporary accommodation just in time for Christmas. We helped them buy basic furniture, bedding and a fridge. One of our case workers brought over presents on Christmas Eve so Ruby had something to open Christmas morning.

A crisis facing families across Australia

Sadly, this is the daily reality for thousands of Australian families, forced into homelessness by cost-of-living pressures, an unexpected illness, job loss, bereavement, mental illness or domestic violence. Any combination of these can make paying rent impossible.

Even if we don’t see it, homelessness is all around us. Hidden homelessness can happen to anyone. Each night, more than 122,000 people in Australia are homeless – living in their cars, a garage or other insecure accommodation.²

Mission Australia offers services across the country to help families at risk of homelessness – but more support is needed.

 

 

Names and images have been changed to protect the identities of the people we help.

¹ Australian Institute of Health and Welfare (2022), Specialist homelessness services annual report 2021–22
² ABS (2021), Census of Population and Housing: Estimating Homelessness