Caravan park residents face eviction | A Current Affair

I have nowhere to go, says Jeff, one of about 30 residents who call a caravan park home.It's his only option.His pension means he can't afford to live anywhere else.Now, Jeff and his mates have been told to get out.

I'm Nita, I'm 86, and I have nowhere to go.I'm Jeff, 59, soon to be homeless.

I'm David, 63, and I've absolutely got nowhere to live.I'm Giuseppe, I'm 49, and we've got no other options.

When you've got nowhere to go, a suburban caravan park can be a refuge.But what do you do when this, your last resort, closes down?

The park owner said he didn't want to keep the lease and the owner of the land wanted to redevelop.

So come August you will be homeless?

Absolutely 110 % correct.

There's more than 30 of them, who've all made a home and found mateship at the Five Ways Caravan Park in Melbourne's South East.

Once you settle in, you make whatever place you go home.So I did.I took advantage of the fact there's a lot of green grass around.I turned it into a vegetable patch instead.

How you going?How are things?They moved in because this was all they could afford.They weren't burdening the public housing system and were managing to live independently within their means.

I don't know, I just feel very comfortable here.We even cook for each other here, you know what I mean?

It's not just a caravan park, it's a community.

Now they've got until August 25 when the park needs to be cleared for redevelopment.After 35 years here, Nita is packing up.

crockery my glassware.my crystal, everything's gone.Everything's gone.

So I was homeless when I came here, could end up homeless when I leave.

Jeff mows lawns and works in garden maintenance.He moved in 17 years ago.

I've rang all the caravan parks in the area and there's nothing.I've looked at rental properties, you know, minimum $300 a week.And then you turn up to the inspections and there's dozens of people there.I've spoken to friends.Nobody...I don't know what else to do.

Lynette's in the same boat as Jeff.They have a roof over their heads, but nowhere to put it.

Yeah, the cabin can be moved, but where am I moving it to?Nobody cares.There's no support.I've written to so many people.

72, you don't want to be homeless, do you?

Murray worked for the Department of Human Services for 35 years.He thought this cabin would see him out.

This was meant to be my forever home.

So eight years ago you paid $65 ,000 for that cabin.

Yep.

And now you won't get a cent back.

Not a cracker.And I'll have to pay for it to be moved.There's no compensation.

Across Victoria there's currently 10 ,000 people permanently living in caravan parks.What's it like living in your caravan?

Love it, love it.Cozy, comfortable.

Richard lost his job during the pandemic and is retired.He's got the van and a car to tow it, but can't afford to rent on the pension.

Job got the other way.but where do I put the caravan?Is it like, you know, I just go and park out in the street?

His neighbour Giuseppe started afresh in the area and changed his life for the better.He doesn't want to leave.

I will squat here if that's what it takes in order to stay around the local area.

When you've already hit rock bottom, where to next?

There should be housing for these people, but clearly there is not.

David Southwick, Victorian Shadow Housing Minister.

It is beyond belief that in a decade this government has only delivered net 36 dwellings into Victoria when it comes to affordable homes.No wonder Victorians have nowhere to go.

In a statement, the Department of Families, Fairness and Housing said... maybe there's somebody out there that can help us out, hopefully.

It's tough, isn't it?Well, we contacted nearby caravan parks offering long -term stays.One told us it had already taken in five ways residents.Other parks have very long wait lists.