Today host Ali Langdon rages over rental crisis forcing families onto streets

Ali Langdon has lost it during an interview with a desperate family facing every parent’s worst nightmare.

Today show host Ali Langson has fired up as a NSW family of six shared their desperation to find a place to live amid the rental crisis sweeping the country.

Rachael McDonnell, her partner Clinton and their four kids have been living in “transitioning housing” in Shellharbour in the Illawarra region for two years.

Ms McDonnell broke into tears as she said she “just hopes” she can find “something sturdy enough” for the family to call home.

“I don’t know how you are able to even function given that pressure, that enormous pressure that you are facing,” Langdon said with a look of disbelief on her face.

“It’s in NSW, Victoria, Queensland, we have been speaking to families in South Australia and WA. This is everywhere.

Rachael McDonnell and partner Clinton and their four kids are facing homelessness. Picture: Today Show

“It’s just BS that families are like that in a time like this,” Langdon trailed off as she became overwhelmed with emotion.

“How on earth do you explain to a couple of little kids there won’t be a roof over your head?”

The cost-of-living crisis is making it harder for families like the McDonnells, who are already struggling to cope in the rental market.

“It’s been a problem for us for that long and now I think everything's adding up,” Clinton told the Today show on Wednesday.

“There’s too many people and not enough houses and nothing’s affordable.”

Karl Stefanovic and Ali Langdon were visibly emotional as they spoke to the Shellharbour family. Picture: Today Show

As the end of their lease approaches, the couple said they had applied for countless properties without luck.

“We have been offering three grand advance in rent and we are getting nowhere,” Clinton said.

In less than a week, the family will be faced with the frightening reality of being kicked out onto the street.

“Come Friday, I think, the sheriff might come knocking,” Clinton said.

There are just 43 properties available to rent in Shellharbour and neighbouring suburbs, according to Domain. Picture: Craig Greenhill

“You have the kids asking where you’re going to go and what we’re going to do. Are we going to have to live on the street”

“How are you meant to prepare the kids? Like … It’s just too much.”

The median price of rental houses in Shellharbour has gone up by 23.4 per cent since 2017 and now sits at $580 week, according to Domain’s June rental report.

“We shouldn’t be going through this in Australia. It’s ridiculous,” Clinton said.