SOUTH Australian welfare services are struggling in the face of increased demand, with more than 28,000 people turned away in the past year.A national survey found welfare services here helped 584,563 people in 2004-05, an increase of 80,625 from the previous year.
A critical funding shortage meant 28,505 needy people were turned away with no help or with only basic help, the Australian Community Sector Survey found.
South Australian Council of Social Service executive director Karen Grogan said services were strained to the limit.
“Demand for help increased by 16 per cent in the last financial year,” Ms Grogan said.
“This survey indicates services are under pressure.” About 40 per cent of services said their waiting list was growing and 58 per cent said they were receiving more referrals.
The services most in demand are long-term housing, income support and health care.
Arthur Tzanakis, manager of BCS Westcare said his experience matched the results of the survey.
“We refer our people to St Vincent (de Paul’s) and if they do not have room, they either call a crisis centre or they sleep rough,” he said.
The Vincentian Centre, at Whitmore Square, is the only crisis accommodation centre for men in Adelaide. It offers 50 beds each night.
Westcare provides emergency meals, drug and alcohol counselling and arranges short-term accommodation.
About 64 per cent of South Australian survey respondents said their clients had increasingly complex needs.
Funding for the sector has increased by $36 million, and expenses by $32 million over the past year.
However, finding the funds is still a challenge, Mr Tzanakis said.
We could do with as much help as we can,” he said.
The survey was based on 215 responses in SA and 1182 nationally.
Tags: Poverty Analysis
