'My family lived in a Ford Territory for eight months'

“There were times where our car battery actually would die because we’d have to use it to heat the car to keep all of us from getting sick.”

Joel Erickson

2 min read

July 14, 2023 - 10:24AM

Family Life

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A pregnant mum has detailed the months she was forced to live in her car with her two young sons due to the ongoing cost-of-living and rental crises.

9News reports young mum Cassandra, her partner, and her two boys aged one and five had been forced to live in a Ford Territory for eight months after rising rental costs forced them into homelessness.

“It’s been extremely cold,” she said.

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“There were times where our car battery actually would die because we’d have to use it to heat the car to keep all of us from getting sick.”

Cassandra and her young family were forced to live in a Ford Territory for eight months due to homelessness. Picture: 9News

"We weren't able to afford food"

The family have been homeless since December, right around the time Cassandra learned she was pregnant.

“We weren’t able to afford food that we really needed to keep ourselves healthy and strong, so that made it very difficult for us,” she said.

“There were times when me and my partner would miss out to make sure our kids had what they needed.”

Thankfully, the West Australian family has found support from charities such as the Salvation Army.

9News reports The Salvos have seen homelessness rise 250 per cent in the Rockingham region, south of Perth, and emergency relief has increased 300 per cent since November.

Chelsea Wilson, a Salvation Army spokeswoman, said the numbers were “heartbreaking to see”.

“Currently we are seeing we are at capacity for what we can provide, and we really do need to be resourced further,” she said.

The family has now secured a home, but survived their lives in their car thanks to the support of the Salvation Army. Picture: 9News

Cassandra now has a home

The Rockingham area was former WA Premier Mark McGowan’s seat until he quit politics earlier this year, and is currently in the throes of a by-election.

The homelessness statistics in the region are one of the big talking points among candidates.

“We need significant investment in Rockingham to help our families,” Independent candidate Hayley Edwards told 9News.

Cassandra and her family have finally secured a home, and hopes the new member for Rockingham will deliver more support for other families struggling through homelessness.