Struggling family forced to live in a tent
A brief camping trip might bring a lot of enjoyment for most children, but sleeping rough in a tent has become the only option for one homeless family of five.
Kylie, Darron Henkel and their three children could no longer afford to pay the high rent at their Wollert home in Melbourne's north after Darron lost his job as a truck driver.
The family bought a tent and pitched it at a friend's house at Kinglake, determined to stay in their local area.
But their makeshift home could be their only means of shelter for some time after being told by the Department of Human Services they face at least an eight year wait for social housing.
They say it is a very difficult situation, with the family forced to cook over an open fire and no running water.
The State Government has offered emergency accommodation to the family, but they refused city refuge over safety fears.
Kylie told 7News: "I'm not going to put my children in a refuge. They're not used to being around criminals.
"I'm not going to take them from a safe environment and put them into an environment that could be very stressful."
The family say the department has known of their situation since November.
Welfare campaigners says it highlights the state's social housing crisis.
It is understood the family have now been placed on an early accommodation list.
