Perth family kicked out of home during COVID-19 pandemic

A young Perth family is tonight on the streets, after being kicked out of their state housing property in the throws of the COVID-19 pandemic.

Sharra Roberts says the eviction came without warning – after she was charged with assault by WA Police.

She says she was forced to send her children to live with her mum, because living in a van out on the street would have put her asthmatic daughter's health at risk.

"I've asked my mum to take my kids, for the safety of my children,'" Ms Roberts told 9News.

"I can't live in a car with them."

Just yesterday, Australian Prime Minister Scott Morrison doubled down on his promise that nobody would be thrown out of their home during the COVID-19 pandemic.

"People are responsible for their rents, but there is a moratorium on evictions. We won't have anyone thrown out," Mr Morrison said.

The WA Housing Authority says its tenants will be protected if they experience financial hardship or mental health problems.

But the department also claims Ms Roberts was aware of her eviction - and her children had already been placed with a relative.

Right now, there are more than 800 people sleeping rough across the city - all are at a high risk of contracting the virus. "They can't distance, they can't isolate, this virus is going to rip through the homeless community like wildfire," Homeless Advocate Jesse Noakes told 9News.