Central West Families Buckle Under Cost-of Living Pressures: New Research

Just under half (45%) of Central West low-income households went without prescribed medication or healthcare due to cost-of-living pressures according to a new report by peak social services body NCOSS.

The report, Impossible Choices: Decisions NSW communities shouldn’t have to make, was commissioned by NCOSS and undertaken by the University of Technology Sydney this year. It surveyed a representative sample of more than 1,080 residents living on low incomes and below the poverty line in NSW.

The research revealed the following across the Central West:

45% went without prescribed medication or healthcare because they were short of money
72% had no money set aside for emergencies
50% are in housing stress (spend more than 30% of income on housing)
42% could not afford to travel for essential reasons (e.g. work, to attend education)

NCOSS CEO Cara Varian said the research had demonstrated the extreme impacts being felt by households in the Central West on low incomes and below the poverty line.

“The basics of life should not be considered a luxury that most lowincome families cannot afford.Ms Varian said the peak body had a set of recommendations for the NSW and Commonwealth Governments, developed in consultation with NCOSS members:

Lifting Commonwealth income support for Jobseeker, Youth Allowance and Parenting Payments.

Increasing the rate of Commonwealth Rent Assistance.

Providing universal early childcare.

Ensuring 10% of all NSW housing is social and affordable.Making NSW rental increases fair and reasonable; urgently implement no grounds evictions for all lease types; and legislate rental bidding.

Implementing a universal school food program in NSW.

Providing adequate funding for NSW emergency food relief services.

Expanding public transport concessions to better support people on low incomes.

Improving bus networks in regional, rural and remote communities.