Andrew Chatburn and his wife Andre are doing it tough, moving from car park to car park across Newcastle and towing their possessions in a rented trailer.
With their two little dogs, this has been home for more than a month.
"There's people worse off than we are," said Mr Chatburn from a shaded area of a car park in suburban Jesmond.
Mr Chatburn is a chef while Mrs Chatburn has an online business trading antiques.
They came to Newcastle from Armidale looking for more opportunities.
Things turned sour quickly when the home they had lined up to rent fell through after they had already packed up their life in Armidale.
Complicating things further is the fact Mrs Chatburn has a series of health problems and Mr Chatburn is doing his best to look after her.
Mr Chatburn's days are spent looking for a home. He even tried posting on Facebook after being knocked back on more than dozen properties.
"We thought Newcastle being bigger, might have a few more. And there are a few more. It's just that there's more people here," he said.
Is 'meanwhile housing' an answer?
Mr Chatburn is a big fan of the concept of "meanwhile housing", where disused properties are used as crisis accommodation for the homeless.
So is Brian Mitchell, a retired nursing unit manager of the Stockton Centre, a former mental health facility.
That closed in 2020 and sits empty as the state government decides what to do with the seaside land on the northern side of Newcastle Harbour.
Mr Mitchell said there were eight renovated houses and two units on the site that would be perfect to temporarily house people in need.
"I drive past them once a week at least and I know what condition they are in. They're available, why can't we use them?" he said.
'One day you'll get lucky'
The state government has said crisis accommodation was best located in residential areas, close to where there are people in need with support services and transport.
It also said the former Stockton Centre was not fit for purpose in its current state.
Member for Newcastle, Tim Crakanthorp, said his office was being swamped by people looking to put a roof over their head.
He supported the idea of using the Stockton Centre for crisis accommodation.
"People are sleeping in their cars or pitching tents. It may not be a conventional accommodation set-up but it would provide shelter and safety," he said.
"I'm sure there are people who would take up this if it were an option."
Meanwhile Mr Chatburn was determined to make a new life for himself in Newcastle despite the bumpy start.
"It's just a question of 'keep looking'," he said.
He has still got a sense of humour despite his predicament.
"I'm waiting for Scomo to call me and tell me I can rent the Lodge, but I don't think that's going to happen any time soon," he said.
