This time it's personal - Australia
CANBERRA, May 11, 2008 (vinnies.org.au): The St Vincent de Paul Society has launched its Winter Appeal in Australia with the title “This Time It’s Personal….” and a summary of the enormous difficulties Australia’s poor face.
The Facts gives details of needs involved in the areas of Cost of Living, Housing, Homelessness, Mental Health, Migrants and Refugees.
The Facts
In the last five years, the Consumer Price Index (i.e. the average cost of goods and services) has
risen by 15 per cent. During the same period, the price of petrol rose by approximately 32 per cent,
fruit rose by 28 per cent, dairy by 24 per cent, and bread and cereal by 18 per cent. People on low
(and limited) incomes are simply unable to absorb these cost increases; instead, they typically go
without essential goods and services.
Cost of living
Australia is now the world leader in unaffordable housing, significantly out-ranking the US, Britain,
Canada, New Zealand and most of the EU. For most Australians, the dream of home ownership is
over, and renting is impossible.
One-in-seven Australian households are experiencing housing stress. Housing stress occurs when
more than 33 per cent of a household’s gross income is spent on housing costs.
Over 400,000 Australians spend more than 50 per cent of their total income on housing costs.
Many of these families skip meals, delay essential medical costs, or take on extra jobs, simply to
keep a roof over their heads.
Housing
Homelessness
Over 100,000 Australians are homeless, and over 60% have been homeless for longer than a
year.
Of the total homeless population, 58% are males and 42% females.
The generalisation that homeless people are predominantly older men is no longer relevant. The
average homeless person is now a 35 year-old male.
A quarter of the homeless population are children under 18 years of age.
45% of homeless persons became homeless because of serious problems with interpersonal
relationships, such as domestic violence, family breakdown, conflict and abuse.
Mental Health
It is estimated that one in five Australians experience serious mental health problems. Research
indicates that mental illness affects more people than cancer and lung disease combined.
Depression and anxiety can be utterly debilitating, leading to loss of employment, social isolation,
financial ruin, addiction, family breakdown and even homelessness.
An estimated 50% of homeless persons live with or have at some point experienced depression
and anxiety.
Migrants and refugees
The majority of refugees admitted to Australia have experienced serious trauma, including
physical assault, sexual assault, torture, abuse, separation and the loss of loved ones prior to their
settlement in Australia.
Winter Appeal
St Vincent de Paul Society assisted over 750,000 people in NSW and the ACT last year.
Every night, more than 4,000 people sleep in the St Vincent de Paul Society’s many facilities
around the country, while in NSW and the ACT over 800 beds are made available every night to
those in need.
Last year, across NSW and the ACT, the St Vincent de Paul Society provided more than 800,000
hot meals to people in need and assisted over 180,000 people through the Society’s various
services.
Last year our Vinnies Centres in NSW and the ACT provided over 75,000 people with more than
three million dollars worth of donated items such as clothing, electrical, furniture, Manchester,
blankets and kitchenware.
Last year, in NSW and the ACT, St Vincent de Paul Society volunteer members visited and
assisted over 500,000 people in their homes.
Winter Appeal 2008 This time it’s personal…
Editor’s Note: It might be worthwhile comparing these statistics with those in the the US. on the Catholic Bishop’s site Poverty Pulse (pdf) and their Campaign for Human Development.
Tags: Society of St. Vincent de Paul