Woman’s ‘ridiculous’ caravan eviction sparks call for housing law change

Hundreds of people have demanded a housing law change after it was revealed this woman is facing homelessness because she’s been living in a backyard caravan.

A northern suburbs woman says she will be homeless in days after being served an eviction notice from her backyard caravan.

Her plight has fuelled calls for law changes to allow South Australians to live in caravans on private land as the rental crisis worsens.

Under current State Government legislation, caravans can be stored on a property, but cannot be lived in for more than 30 days in a year, unless occupants apply for development approval. The law is enforceable by councils.

A woman in Playford evicted from a caravan has sparked debate amid the ongoing housing crisis. Picture: Facebook

Kaylene Swan Hussey said she had been “given notice to leave” by Playford Council on the Northern Suburbs Community Facebook group.

Ms Hussey said she lived – slept but did not cook – in a van parked a few metres away from the house and was now facing a “nightmare”.

Kaylene Swan Hussey. Picture: Facebook

“Head up. Playford Council. Can’t live in caravan in someone’s yard,” she wrote.

“Just got given notice to leave. Homelessness is just going to get worse.”

In two days Ms Hussey’s post generated more than 400 comments from concerned community members in a wave of support.

“I really hope people protest this,” one commentator wrote.

“What gives the council a right to tell people what to do on their own property?

“The amount we pay in council rates and this is the thanks homeowners get,” another member wrote.

“Homelessness is out of control and the government isn’t doing a thing to fix it, so it’s up to friends, families and communities to stick together and help each other out now.”

Ms Hussey said the council had received a complaint about her caravan.

“We had no idea we were not allowed to. Council said it’s just the law and no exceptions,” she said.

Playford Mayor Glenn Docherty said the council had an obligation to enforce the state’s legislation around “unlawful occupation of caravans on private property”.

“City of Playford has a responsibility to ensure the safety of its residents and compliance with the Planning, Development and Infrastructure Act (2016),” he said.

“Prior to commencing formal enforcement action, council staff work with occupants to provide adequate time to make alternate arrangements inclusive of connection with local support services.”

A state government spokesperson said it was committed to improving the rental market but people could not live in backyard caravans without council approval.

“Long-term recreational vehicle parking on private residential land requires council development approval under the Planning, Development and Infrastructure Act,” they said. “Local councils are responsible for enforcing this part of the Act.”

Opposition housing spokeswoman Michelle Lensink said “stories like this are heartbreaking, but sadly all too familiar”.