Working families are the new face of poverty, Salvation Army reveals


    By Neil Keene and Nathan Klein
    The Daily Telegraph
    May 16, 2012

    Survey reveals working families are struggling
    Breaks down stereotype of "homeless man"
    Almost half have dependent children

It's families who are the new working poor a survey reveals.

THE poverty epidemic is hurting everyday families who are pushed to the brink of ruin by the rising cost of living and a run of bad luck.   

A national survey of more than 1700 people seeking emergency assistance and support from The Salvation Army has revealed that of the million-plus people who are helped annually by the organisation, the vast majority do not fit the poor-man stereotype.

Almost half of those most in need had dependant children, 57 per cent were aged 26 to 45 and almost a third lived in private rental accommodation that was not public housing.

Just 5 per cent were homeless.

"These are employed mums and dads, people who have been made redundant - a very broad range of the community," Salvation Army spokesman Major Bruce Harmer said yesterday.

"They're completely in the corner and they have no resources upon which to draw when the price of living goes up or when tough times happen."   

Sydney mother-of-four Alison Pringle knows first hand what it is like to struggle just to cover the basics in life.

When her husband Martin suffered an injury and could no longer work three years ago, it became increasingly harder for them to survive.

"We couldn't pay the electricity and gas bills and found it difficult to pay rent at times. It felt like we didn't have enough money for dinner sometimes."

Mrs Pringle, who now volunteers for the Salvos, is not alone.

The survey found that more than half of those seeking assistance had gone without meals to help make ends meet, while almost 60 per cent had cut down on basic necessities like clothes, shoes, milk and bread. Almost half had sold or pawned possessions for extra cash.   

"While that provides temporary relief it's clear to anyone except a person in desperate circumstances that those funds will soon dry up as well," Major Harmer said.

Alarmingly, 94 per cent of people surveyed said they had no cash savings and almost 90 per cent could not afford house or car insurance.   

"A lot of people are really in deep trouble and they need all the support they can get to turn their lives around and break the cycle," he said.

The report was released ahead of the Salvos' annual Red Shield Appeal this weekend, when they hope to raise the $39 million needed to keep welfare services running for another 12 months.

"We desperately need the help of everyone in the community to help us help these people who are in such difficult circumstances," he said.


Comments on this story

    Trust Me of Melbourne Posted at 9:16 AM May 16, 2012

        Its the new hidden costs, the fines, the new taxes, the bank fees, the late fees on everything, the stuff that is not reported in the statistics. Two people work to live the way one income once supported a family!.   


    steve of Melb Posted at 9:14 AM May 16, 2012

        This is always going to happen when you have politicians and public servants who think that families on $80k are rich. God help those on the minimum wage because the pollies won't.   


Read more: http://www.news.com.au/money/cost-of-living/families-are-the-new-face-of-poverty/story-fnagkbpv-1226357266752#ixzz1vADgvkTv

You know. If the govt hadnt sold off all the things that made money eg transport post offices electricity and phone then we wouldn't have this problem because they would have an income.

Interesting everything is focused on "families" now though. There are a LOT of single ppl out there. Especially young ppl.

SOB

BlOoDy RiPpEr wrote on May 18^th, 2012 at 8:50am:



I keep telling 'em that, but do you think they can put 2+2 together?

The problem has two faces. We certainly have much higher costs but we also have much higher expectations. Only a generation ago we went on camping holidays now we go to a resort and complain that the economy is in the gutter if we cannot afford it. We one had a small TV now we need to up date to the latest every 18 months. You used to buy a car and that was that for 10 years now we want it changes every three. We want far more than we can afford and 10 years of the rivers of gold wasted has not taught us a lesson. Now we are just angry and indignant that we can not have it all and have someone else pay for it. I see some very hard times coming for this country while we find reality a hard landing.

warrigal wrote on May 20^th, 2012 at 8:02am:


AH another of the entitlement generation. Single got a job stop complaining and work hard, that is how we all got ahead.

warrigal wrote on May 20^th, 2012 at 8:18am:


You just keep pushing that line to yourself. Do you think you are the only one ever to do it hard. Entitlement boy is your name. Give it to me, some one owes me a living. No one owes you anything and you need to go and find a job. Hell there is plenty of work if you want it you can even get your own business up until you find that amazing bludge job that pays you millions. Hell you could even study and improve your situation.

Just this morning it was pointed out that the Australian standard of living has actually risen over the past five years while the rest of the world went backwards. Funny how the winners are whinging about there good fortune. Selfish and arrogant, i fear for the mess when the times get hard for real. We have never had it better it's just we expect more and more.

Sir Spot of Borg wrote on May 20^th, 2012 at 11:02am:


I don't get the issue, if rent is so high buy a house. House prices are the one area in our economy that have fallen and they are more affordable now than ever, or is it the usual problem. You don't want the house you can afford you want the one that fits your self image.

nairbe wrote on May 20^th, 2012 at 11:13am:


rent is so high because house prices are high and property hoarders and speculators are offloading the risk onto the tenant !!