New census data has revealed almost 60,000 Australians call a caravan home. Mother-of-six, Ajay*, is one of them.
Last year, the 40-year-old had to leave her rental home in Golden Plains Shire, in western Victoria, when the owners decided to sell the property.
Despite applying for numerous rental properties, Ajay was unable to find a new home.
"There were hundreds of families applying for the same home," she said.
"It was very difficult."
Left with no other option, Ajay made the decision to move into her father's caravan.
The caravan was initially located at a caravan park in Ballarat, which Ajay said was filled with other families in a similar situation to her own.
Nine months later, the 40-year-old is still living in the same caravan, but it's now parked in her father's backyard.
Four of her children are in foster care, but two of her kids— a three-year-old son and a 16-year-old daughter — live in the same compact dwelling.
She said it presents challenges each day.
"You can't have the basics," Ajay said.
"You struggle on a day-to-day basis living on each other's doorstep. Fights and arguments increase."
Fresh hope on the horizon
Through homelessness service Uniting Ballarat, Ajay has been able to secure a property that she'll move into next month.
From the new base, Ajay said she'll return to work as a taxi driver.
While the mother-of-six is excited about the next chapter, memories of one young couple from the caravan park remain in front of mind for her.
"They've just had the baby and are still homeless," she said.
Plea to landlords
Data released by CoreLogic on Friday shows national rental rates are rising at a faster rate than housing values, going up by point nine per cent in June.
While Ajay acknowledges property owners are in a "really difficult" situation, she called for landlords to show more compassion.
"I know it's really hard with interest rates going up, but everyone needs a home. Nobody should have to live in a caravan."
Caravans parks long-term homes
According to Consumer Affairs Victoria, residents of caravan parks have rights under the Residential Tenancies Act.
"A person is considered a caravan park resident if they have signed an agreement with the caravan park owner or have lived in the park for at least 60 days without a break and aren't there for non-residential purposes (for example, a holiday)," a spokesperson told ABC News.
The spokesperson said that the resident and caravan park owner can enter into a written caravan park agreement "specifying terms and conditions."
*The interviewee requested to remain anonymous.
