Anti-Poverty Week, which began yesterday, reminds Australians of the problems of disadvantage and their solutions. Vinnies Canberra/Goulburn has called on governments to reduce poverty in the ACT by investing in social housing and increasing income support.  

“Poverty exists, it hurts us all, and we can all do something about it,” said CEO Michelle Colefax. “This Anti-Poverty Week, Vinnies Canberra/Goulburn encourage the Federal Government to increase Jobseeker and other income support payments, and invest in social housing to ensure families have food on the table and a roof over their head.”

In the ACT, 26,500 people, including 9,000 children, live below the poverty line, she said. (The ACT Council of Social Service’s figure is even higher: more than 38,000 people, or nine per cent of Canberrans.)

“The current base rate of income support of $44 a day means that families are forced to choose between everyday essentials – such as accessing nutritious food, paying rent and utility bills on time, or buying school uniforms.”    

Over the past year, Vinnies supported more than 40,000 vulnerable people in the Canberra region, and assisted with necessities like food, travel, clothing, or utility bills.

“This need is only growing,” Ms Colefax said.   

Food insecurity for single parent families was by far the greatest issue, she said; more than a third of the requests Vinnies received were food assistance.  

Between June and August, the Vinnies Helpline received a 62 per cent increase in the number of requests for assistance, compared to the same period last year. 

Many families also risk homelessness due to a shortage of affordable housing, Ms Colefax believes. (The ACT has a shortfall of 3,000 social housing dwellings, and Canberrans on welfare support cannot afford market rents.) In June, more than 12,000 households in the ACT received “inadequate” Commonwealth Rent Assistance.

“For too many people, a safe and secure home is simply out of reach,” Ms Colefax said. “A home is not just a roof over one’s head. A home provides safety, security, a sense of belonging, and a place for children and young people to build a future.”

Vinnies Canberra/Goulburn, as part of its membership of the Anti-Poverty Week Executive Committee led by ACTCOSS and Woden Community Service, is collaborating with peer community organisations to provide information and activities to support Anti-Poverty Week in the ACT and surrounding region from 17 to 23 October.  

Vinnies Canberra/Goulburn asks Canberrans to reflect on and discuss the poverty and disadvantage on our own doorstep, and what we can do to make a change.    

To find out more or get involved, visit www.actcoss.org.au/news-events/anti-poverty-week-2021.