A Queenstown man is unable to find a rental home and lives in a hut in the bush

A seasonal worker in Queenstown has resorted to “living in the bush” after being excluded from the city’s troubled housing market.

When Canadian Jack Carroll was left without a roof over his head, he went walking into the wilderness and found himself a place among the wild pines, hidden from view.

Designed from pine logs and tarpaulin, the makeshift structure includes a stone floor, a queen-size bed and a barbecue.

Carroll said it was “a little rough” but he was “making the most” of being homeless.

“I take care of the place. I don’t throw parties or leave trash. I really want people to be impressed with my campsite.”

In fact, he said he now finds it difficult to sleep indoors “because there is not enough airflow.”

For daily necessities like showering, Carol has a gym membership, and a girlfriend with whom he spends some nights.

“She’s OK with that, but I’m almost 30, and I don’t think she’s looking for a homeless man — but people understand because it’s Queenstown.”

Carroll works on the ski slopes, servicing snowmaking equipment, but has been homeless for two winters.

He was living in a three-bedroom house that he rented with a group for $750 a week, but after returning from a trip back to Canada, he found it had gone off the market.

“I’ve given up trying because what they’re offered versus what they charge doesn’t keep up. You have to stand in line just to see a place, let alone actually live there.”

While Carroll was saving to pay rent, he said the living conditions took a toll on his health.

“My sinuses are blocked, and I’m coughing most of the time. My eyes have been bloodshot for a week, and I’m constantly fighting illnesses.

He said he had to wash all his clothes regularly to prevent mold. His bed was constantly damp, and he sprayed it every day to repel bedbugs.

Living in the jungle can also be difficult due to the distance from civilization.

“Sometimes I go a day without eating, just because it’s hard to get food.”

Carroll decided that he was tired of the outdoor lifestyle and would return to Canada within a month.

He hopes his story will raise awareness about the housing shortage and encourage civic authorities to do something about it.

He said there was an urgent need for more homes. Listing empty homes on Airbnb instead of renting them out hasn’t helped either.

Although it was difficult for him, he was sure that there were others who were in a worse situation.

“I don’t think anyone plans to do something like this. I never expected when I traveled here to be homeless, but that’s the way things go sometimes.”

“In my opinion it was still better than paying rent in Queenstown.”