Struggling with housing – April 2022 – Bob & Mary

Written by Catherine Stuart on March 13, 2024.

This story was collected from the Shining Stars Foundation, Camden in April 2022. Names have been changed to protect privacy.

Bob and Mary live in Wollondilly with their 16yr old son Jack. Their house was burnt during the bushfires in 2019/2020. They had no home insurance, and received no government assistance except for one off payment of about $1,500. After the bushfires the family lived in a 3-person tent on their property for about 2 years.

Jack continued going to school and Bob held down a part time job, but the housing situation affected the family badly. They isolated themselves from the community, and their mental health was affected.

The Shining Stars Foundation provided financial assistance to help the family was able to buy a caravan. The family was still living in the caravan in April 2022.