Increases in demand for welfare services as financial crisis hits home

Australia’s worsening financial and housing crisis is impacting on the ability of charities to meet the needs of a growing number of people left homeless, bankrupt and vulnerable according to Wesley Mission’s 2007-08 Annual Review which was released today.

As the crisis deepened during the past year, Wesley Creditline Financial Counselling Service provided counsel and support to 4826 people but turned away 2424. The number of women seeking crisis accommodation grew from 148 to 227 – a jump of 53 per cent on the previous year.

Wesley Mission’s Annual Review shows that while 243 children could be placed in foster care a further 873 children could not be found a caring family due to a lack of carers and resources.

“The demands on Wesley Mission will continue to grow as the economic and housing situation worsens,” said Wesley Mission’s CEO the Rev Keith Garner.

“While Australia has undergone unbridled prosperity during the past decade there are many people in the community who have not shared in this growth and will continue to struggle in the foreseeable future. These are people with real needs, aspirations and hopes.”

“And while we celebrate the fact that we have been able to meet more need, we also acknowledge that we have not been able to help others due to the ever-increasing demands on our resources. We are grateful to governments, our donors and corporate supporters for their support but we know the year ahead will be tough for those who can least afford it,” Rev Garner said.