The housing crisis across the country has led to many people moving into caravans and mobile homes, but some have been forced to be even more inventive with their accommodation. A pensioner in WA's wheatbelt is being taken to court for living in his bus on a suburban block.
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TVTranscript
00:00 Good morning, Sam. Welcome to my home.
00:04 Danny Reinhold is proud of his home. He's been living here for a year.
00:08 This is my kitchen area.
00:10 Mr Reinhold owns this converted bus, parked on a suburban block in the centre of Darkin, 200km south of Perth.
00:18 This is my coffee machine.
00:19 It's decked out with a bathroom, bedroom, kitchen and living area.
00:23 The problem is, the shire is taking him to court, saying he's camping illegally.
00:29 I hate to tell them, this is not camping. This is a portable home.
00:35 Mr Reinhold is an air con mechanic, but due to health reasons, works part time.
00:40 Which means renting, building or living long term in a caravan park are financially out of reach.
00:47 It all works perfectly for me.
00:49 I can't afford to build a new house. I don't need a new house.
00:52 I love being out here. It's a good town to be in.
00:56 It's just disappointing that we're having the problems that we're having.
01:01 WA regulations mean residents need permission to stay in a home on wheels for extended periods,
01:08 outside of a camping ground or caravan park.
01:11 The Shire of West Arthur knocked back Mr Reinhold's application to live in his bus here in Darkin.
01:17 The ABC approached the shire for comment, but they declined.
01:21 It's ludicrous. People are screaming out for houses and there's not any around for anyone on a low income.
01:32 Dan's looking after, I'd say, the mental health of the farmers.
01:38 Because imagine sitting inside a hot tractor all day and not having air conditioning.
01:44 It's made me very, very anxious. I'm very worried, very stressed.
01:49 Mr Reinhold says he's not only worried about where he'll live,
01:53 but that the legal proceedings could impact his ability to get work.
01:58 [BLANK_AUDIO]