Struggle Street

Poverty and social disadvantage are things we usually associate with the Third World. But in areas of western Sydney - on the margins of Australia’s most affluent city - thousands of families and individuals are struggling to get by. S1.E1 00:00 Ashley, whose health stopped him driving trucks, shows how to make a few dollars by driving around looking for scrap metal. Erin's former house gets trashed, and William shows how he can get a meal using a slingshot accurately. S1.E2 50:30 Chris's mother had him taken from her, and he grew up in foster homes. He now finds himself back in Mt Druitt. Five tries to give something back to the others, and there are some support services - if only more people knew how to find them. S1.E3 01:40:27 Michelle's kids are the most important thing in her life. Ashley is diagnosed with dementia, but it doesn't stop him evicting his drug addicted son from the family home. S2.E1 02:28:46 We meet those from diverse backgrounds facing a range of challenges, from unemployment to addiction and a lack of housing. Single mother Norma is facing homelessness, and Kiwi shelter residents Jarrod and Sharon battle to overcome addiction. S2.E2 03:20:04 Nick is in trouble after the closure of the Melbourne Ford plant. Tamara is the victim of a vocational training loan scam. Allan racks up over $30,000 in payday loans, and police are sent in to remove Norma and her family from their home. S2.E3 04:15:08 Michael is at war with his brother, trying to deal with their mother's will. Allan tries to get his new landscaping business running but faces money problems. Jarrod and Sharon are at breaking point as they battle to stay clean from drugs. S2.E4 05:10:42 Sue's told she has four weeks to leave her home, facing the prospect of homelessness. Jarrod and Sharon agree to part ways in an attempt to clean up their lives. And things are looking up for Michael. He's about to get a new set of teeth. S2.E5 06:03:16 Jarrod and his two eldest children are on the streets and need emergency assistance. Sue is battling housing authorities as she attempts to find alternative accommodation, and Michelle and Jess are coming to terms with life in poverty. S2.E6 06:53:06 Michael has a financial windfall and decides to indulge his passion of music. Josh and Monica have been sleeping rough after Josh's release from jail and can't find anyone who'll rent to them. Meanwhile, Jess finds an escape in her art. S3.E1 07:47:37 Individuals and families living in Riverina, New South Wales share the struggles they are dealing with, including homelessness, drought and a crime wave sweeping through parts of Wagga Wagga.