Perth family endure cold, wet winter in bus amid worsening housing crisis

Steve Pountney never imagined he'd be living on an old bus.

But after applying for more than 100 rental properties across Perth, that's exactly what the 52-year-old and his family are doing.

"It's blooming hard out there … every [rental] we go to there's like 50, 60 people there," he said.

"We've been spending so much time travelling to and from houses and that burns up all our money and fuel."

On a wet winter day, Steve gave the ABC a tour of his six-wheeled home, nestled in bushland near a busy highway.

"It's comfortable enough, but I'd still like to have a home where I can put on my stuff and know it's all safe," he said, pointing out bunk beds, a small couch and an outdoor kitchen rigged up under a tarp.

"I get worried that maybe someone's going to come in and try to steal stuff