Homeless woman feels safer living in vehicle than shared housing

Susan Morley has been living in a motorhome for the past three years. (ABC Gold Coast: Danielle Mahe)

From the outside, Susan Morley appears to be living an enviable retirement travelling solo around Australia in a motorhome with her two dogs.

But, unlike people who choose van life, the 61-year-old is homeless.

Ms Morley has been living in her vehicle on the Gold Coast for the past three years while waiting for social housing after a series of setbacks changed the course of her life.

Susan Morley and her two dogs keep each other company. (ABC Gold Coast: Danielle Mahe)

Ms Morley said she had retired early at 40 and was living a comfortable lifestyle but lost her assets in 2016 after becoming a victim of fraud.

She was also involved in a serious car accident which left her with chronic pain and unable to work.

Despite her circumstances, she was able to keep her motorhome and now camps in public spaces across the Gold Coast because she cannot afford the city's skyrocketing rents.

During the day, she walks her dogs and mostly keeps to herself.

At night, she parks in well-lit public car parks, closes the blinds and locks herself and her pets inside until morning.

Although she did not plan to live this way, she said she felt safer there than living with strangers.

Susan Morley says that, after years in her motorhome, she's over it. (ABC Gold Coast: Danielle Mahe)

Her experience reflects what housing advocates describe as a growing crisis among older Australian women.

Teresa Reed, founder of The Forgotten Women charity, said women aged 55 and over were among the fastest-growing groups experiencing homelessness nationwide.

According to Ms Reed, many older women were being pushed into homelessness by a combination of limited superannuation, separation, widowhood and rising living costs.

While some women turned to shared housing, she said an increasing number were choosing to live in their vehicles while waiting for social housing.

"Rather than put themselves in an unsafe or uncomfortable situation, some choose to live in their cars instead."

The sight of people camping in their cars in public spaces across the Gold Coast has sparked outrage from residents concerned about their safety, noise and environmental impacts.

In 2025, City of Gold Coast council received about 3,000 complaints related to people living in cars and vans.

People living in vehicles parked in public spaces is a common sight on the Gold Coast. (ABC Gold Coast: Danielle Mahe)

Ms Reed said it was unfair to view older women living in vehicles in the same way as those living on