Homeless couple share their living crisis online
A couple from Queensland are documenting the harsh reality of homelessness on TikTok, to shed a light on the devastating truth of the rental crisis.
Jeanette and Peter McDonald are living in a tent and documenting their struggles online, with their legion of followers lovingly referring to them as "unintentional nomads".
"We call ourselves the unintentional nomads because we didn't intend to be living in a tent at age 62," Jeanette said on TikTok.
Just four months ago, the McDonalds were living in a townhouse with their family before being dealt an unfair deal from their landlord.
"A new manager came into the complex and she said it's a three bedroom townhouse, it can only take four people and there were six of us," Jeanette told A Current Affair.
The decision was made for the couple to look for other rentals, but they were beaten or priced out of every home they looked at.
"We've rented most of our life and never ever ever had a problem, so it's a bit weird to be in this boat at this age," Jeanette said.
"It's been about four months now that we haven't been able to get back in the market."
The couple have struggled to find a stable income, as Jeanette lives week to week on the disability pension and Peter has struggled to find consistent work as a cleaner since the start of the pandemic.
"I had a good life once, but I just didn't think the whole thing would come crashing down," Peter said.
"You hear about it, you hear other people going through it, but I never thought I'd be the one or one of them."
Now the McDonalds have become unconventional TikTok stars, after taking to the platform to share their story.
"A friend of ours said that it might help us and might help other people," Jeanette said.
They document how they move around and find safe places to camp, but also share the tough times.
"Hopefully something will come up that will help us, but at the moment we just take the days as they come and hope for the best," Jeanette said.
Despite toughing it through the hardest of circumstances, the McDonalds are determined to remain upbeat.
"So if you have to be a nomad, an unintentional one, you can enjoy the environment at least," Jeanette told TikTok.
"You can freak out if you want, but there's no point, it'll still be there," Peter said.
Image credits: A Current Affair