ID :
76081
Wed, 08/19/2009 - 18:20
Auther :
Shortlink :
http://m.oananews.org//node/76081
The shortlink copeid
Downturn puts pressure on charities
(AAP)- Demand for crisis accommodation and charity food handouts has risen by 50 per cent due to the economic downturn, a new report shows.
The study commissioned by the federal government found two-thirds of charities are
seeing demand for their services increase.
Responding to the report, Families, Housing and Community Services Minister Jenny
Macklin announced funding allocations for 689 non-profit groups over the next two
years.
"More Australians are under financial stress and are turning to community
organisations for help," Ms Macklin told the House of Representatives on Wednesday
in response to the Centre for Corporate Public Affairs report.
"At the same time, these organisations are experiencing a reduction in investment
income, corporate funding and funding from philanthropic trusts and foundations."
The minister's 'Supporting Australians under financial pressure' statement announced
how the government would allocate an extra $80.4 million set aside for emergency
relief accommodation between March 2009 and June 2011.
The funding will help 689 organisations at 1,299 places across Australia.
"This will help vulnerable Australians in 297 locations across NSW, 257 in Victoria,
254 in Queensland, 184 in Western Australia, 177 in South Australia, 38 in Tasmania,
18 in the ACT and 76 in the Northern Territory," Ms Macklin said.
The report found 65 per cent of community organisations were reporting an increase
in demand for services amid the economic downturn.
Some 83 per cent were expecting an increase in demand for services in the next
financial year.
A third of charities surveyed said demand for services had increased by between 20
and 50 per cent.
"The impact of the global financial crisis on the Australian economy is predicted to
have an acute impact on some of the most disadvantaged people in the community
pushing increasing numbers of low and middle income earners to seek the services of
welfare agencies," the report said.
"This in turn will put an even greater strain on what are already overstretched
social services."
Demand is expected to increase for employment services, housing, financial
counselling, emergency food relief and counselling.
The study commissioned by the federal government found two-thirds of charities are
seeing demand for their services increase.
Responding to the report, Families, Housing and Community Services Minister Jenny
Macklin announced funding allocations for 689 non-profit groups over the next two
years.
"More Australians are under financial stress and are turning to community
organisations for help," Ms Macklin told the House of Representatives on Wednesday
in response to the Centre for Corporate Public Affairs report.
"At the same time, these organisations are experiencing a reduction in investment
income, corporate funding and funding from philanthropic trusts and foundations."
The minister's 'Supporting Australians under financial pressure' statement announced
how the government would allocate an extra $80.4 million set aside for emergency
relief accommodation between March 2009 and June 2011.
The funding will help 689 organisations at 1,299 places across Australia.
"This will help vulnerable Australians in 297 locations across NSW, 257 in Victoria,
254 in Queensland, 184 in Western Australia, 177 in South Australia, 38 in Tasmania,
18 in the ACT and 76 in the Northern Territory," Ms Macklin said.
The report found 65 per cent of community organisations were reporting an increase
in demand for services amid the economic downturn.
Some 83 per cent were expecting an increase in demand for services in the next
financial year.
A third of charities surveyed said demand for services had increased by between 20
and 50 per cent.
"The impact of the global financial crisis on the Australian economy is predicted to
have an acute impact on some of the most disadvantaged people in the community
pushing increasing numbers of low and middle income earners to seek the services of
welfare agencies," the report said.
"This in turn will put an even greater strain on what are already overstretched
social services."
Demand is expected to increase for employment services, housing, financial
counselling, emergency food relief and counselling.
