Perth Residents turn to Charities for Help

According to Perth not-for-profits, a growing number of people with jobs and mortgages are turning to charities for help because they can’t afford food and rent.

Charities say a growing cohort of “working poor” as more people with jobs and mortgages struggle to pay for food and housing.

Anglicare chief executive Mark Glasson said the rising cost of living was driving more people to his service despite having a source of income.

Concerns about the issue were raised at a meeting held on Tuesday to brainstorm urgent solutions to the rental crisis. Hosted by Shelter WA, the meeting was attended by community housing workers, academics, planners, and representatives from the real estate industry. Suggestions for “quick fixes” to address the crisis included repurposing unoccupied office spaces and ground-floor shopfronts. Still, the proposal that garnered the most support was establishing a rental assistance scheme.

Source: ABC