‘I’m scared I’m going to die’: a rising number of Australians are sleeping rough as the housing crisis bites

Susan is one of many Australians who suffer physically and mentally from being forced to live on the streets. Photograph: Christopher Hopkins/The Guardian

For the past 10 years, Susan has been sleeping rough. The signs show on her body – a year-old wound that refuses to heal, small cuts that won’t mend, regular arthritis flare-ups and stress lines across her face.

Even as Melbourne’s frigid weather sets in, she sleeps in alleyways and parks. But rain is forecast for the next few days, and Susan is $365 away from having a roof over her head.