An Epping-based emergency relief agency has released a report revealing many Whittlesea families spend so much on housing they are unable to pay for essentials, such as food and bills.
Whittlesea Community Connections’ latest Emergency Relief Survey Report, published last week, comes just a week after Whittlesea council announced it would stop wholly subsidising the service provider’s rent and utilities from July next year.
A spokeswoman from WCC said councillors had voted to break a longstanding arrangement that recognised the agency as a not-for-profit resource, and will impose costs that threaten its ability to pay for essential services.
The new report shows that, in the past four years, WCC has provided emergency relief on 7064 occasions, and assisted a further 676 clients, including more than 2549 individual casework sessions.
“The evidence gathered tells a worrying tale of individuals and families who spend so much on housing that they are then unable to meet their needs for other essentials,” the report states.
“It tells of the disproportionate burden of poverty placed on women, particularly women who are single heads of households.
“The survey also tells of the enormous gap between demand for support and the capacity to respond to that demand.”
WCC chief executive Jemal Ahmet said the diminished council support would force the agency to divert money away from vital programs and services, including emergency relief.
As of July next year, WCC will be required to pay half of the rent for its premise at Epping Plaza, as well as cleaning costs and utility bills.
The agency estimates it will be forced to fork out $17,500 in 2016-17, $35,000 the following year and more than $52,500 in 2018-19.
Former mayor Ricky Kirkham defended the move, saying the council had to be fair and equitable to all community organisations.
“Council will continue to provide considerable rental support to WCC and will phase in a 50:50 shared rental payment arrangement over the next three years.”
