Cass became nauseous when the heatwave arrived.

When Cass awakes, she can immediately feel the thickness of the air around her. Her skin is sticky with sweat and her stomach churns with nausea. It's a familiar feeling to her, as she has been experiencing it for over a year now. She knows what's coming next - the vomiting. It's become an uncomfortable reality for her, especially during heatwaves.

Cass has been living out of her vehicle for more than a year now. The extreme temperatures have taken a toll on her health, and she suffers significantly every time the temperature spikes. This current heatwave in NSW and QLD is making it even more difficult for her to cope. She knows she's not alone in this struggle, as many others experiencing homelessness are also facing the same challenges.

In an interview with 9news.com.au, Cass shared the harsh reality of living in her vehicle during a heatwave. "There's nausea and vomiting from sucking in my own air all night...you get very, very dehydrated, you're always thirsty," she said. "You get dry, itchy, wrinkly skin because it's so dehydrated and it starts to have an effect on your renal system, your kidneys, your bladder." It's a constant battle for her to stay hydrated and cool in order to avoid further health complications.

Cass is just one of the estimated 122,000 people experiencing homelessness in Australia on any given night. And with the rising number of people living out of vehicles, the approaching summer months bring unique challenges. Lucas Patchett, CEO of Orange Sky, a charity organization providing support to the homeless, shared, "The warmer months can bring unique challenges for people sleeping rough and doing it tough. During this time, we often see an increase in demand for our services."

For those living in their vehicles, the challenges are even greater. Dehydration can lead to persistent urinary tract infections, and the extreme heat can cause loss of consciousness. But even finding ways to circulate the air in their vehicles becomes a full-time job. Cass shared, "It gets very hot in here, finding ways to circulate the air becomes almost a full-time job."

Unfortunately, the struggle for those experiencing homelessness doesn't end with just physical health. It takes a toll on their mental health as well. Cass, like many others living in their vehicles, constantly worries about their safety, especially when it comes to leaving a window or door open for fresh air. She shared her fears of someone trying to get in while she sleeps. It's a difficult decision to make every night - choosing between her safety and getting some relief from the heat.

Organizations like Mission Australia and Orange Sky are working hard to support those living out of vehicles. But it's not an easy task. Identifying, connecting with, and supporting these individuals can be complex and costly. Patrick Crawford, a team leader for Missionbeat's homelessness outreach service, explained, "It takes more resources to locate 10 people in cars that we might be aware of in the inner west, than it does to go down George Street and find 10 people." The support of the community and government is crucial in their efforts to help these individuals.

But as the cost of living and rental crisis continues to grip the nation, more and more people are facing homelessness every night. Patchett and Crawford call for compassion and understanding from fellow Australians. They urge anyone who identifies a person experiencing or at risk of homelessness this summer to help them engage with professional support. "Then we can respond and help with early intervention, and hopefully keep people safe."

Cass considers herself lucky to have her van, as it allows her to chase cooler weather during heatwaves and even travel to the beach for some relief. But she knows that many others experiencing homelessness don't have that option. With the approaching summer months, she hopes for more understanding and support from the community. As she puts it, "Surviving homelessness in a heatwave is about so much more than physical health."

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