UnitingSA has launched its Hope Sweet Hope Winter Appeal today, as the organisation feels the full impact of increasing demand.
With no end in sight to the cost of living, housing and energy bill crises, more families are feeling financial pressure and seeking help.
UnitingSA CEO, Jenny Hall says UnitingSA’s emergency relief teams are working harder than ever to hold back the threat of homelessness for families and individuals.
The organisation, which opened its newest community housing development, Uniting on Devonport, in March, says demand for affordable and social housing far outstrips supply and is leaving people with nowhere to go.
“Despite building homes for another 50 people – we still can’t keep up with demand,” says UnitingSA CEO, Jenny Hall.
“We have an acute housing shortage in South Australia and it is hitting the State’s most vulnerable community members the hardest.”
Earlier this year, the Productivity Commission reported that the number of people experiencing homelessness is soaring with the number of Australians facing long-term homelessness up 25% in five years.*
“We’re seeing the human face of that increase on a daily basis,” says Ms Hall.
“We’re seeing people living out of caravans and cars, and people couch surfing. We’re seeing older women facing rent increases they simply can’t afford and being left with nowhere else to go.
“At the other end of the spectrum, we’re seeing people who have never sought help before, dual income households, who still can’t afford to feed their family.
“Many of the people we see have found themselves in this situation through no fault of their own. An unexpected large bill, an illness or a reduction in work hours can quickly combine to push someone into extreme financial difficulty or homelessness.
“As well as focusing on early intervention programs to support people before they get to crisis point, at UnitingSA we work with people who don’t have access to the basics like shelter, food and warm clothing.”
UnitingSA says it desperately needs donations.
“Financial donations are vital as they enable us to target support where it is most needed including assistance with bill relief,” says Ms Hall.
The organisation is calling for in-kind donations of canned food, and unused warm bedding, winter clothing, tents and sleeping bags.
“We’re calling on our community to give what they can,” says Ms Hall
“We believe those without a home, should never be without hope.”
Ways your financial donation can help this year:
- $20 will buy three hearty meals for a rough sleeper
- $50 provides a week of petrol for the school run
- $80 covers a vital medical appointment
- $100 provides a rough sleeper with basic necessities
- $200 pays for an average SA family’s weekly groceries
- $1,000 assists a family to pay two weeks’ rent in advance (bond) to secure housing
CEO, Jenny Hall, is available for interview.
Media contact:
Shannon Short
0466 419 528
* Source: Homelessness Australia
https://homelessnessaustralia.org.au/alarming-rise-in-persistent-homelessness-revealed/