EXECUTIVE SUMMARY
This is the fourth report in a series that began in 2002,
occurring 4-yearly in 2006 and 2010. Evaluation of these
surveys over time provides an opportunity to examine
changing needs in our community and measure demand for
existing emergency relief (ER) services. Furthermore, the
survey and report provides a platform for the development
of responsive programs and services that address changing
community issues in the City of Whittlesea.
The survey was conducted over a period of 4 months, from
September to January 2014. It focuses on a range of topics
that typically result in the need for ER services including
housing, inadequate income, family violence, cost of living,
gambling, and drug and alcohol use.
Herein, the report details the project design, methodology,
ethical considerations, results and discussion.
financial hardship were food expenses (68.8%),
electricity (63.2%), housing costs and gas (54.2%)
254 respondents participated in the survey
Over two thirds of respondents were female
Over 56% of respondents were born in Australia
since 2010 (25.8%)
The median weekly housing cost was between
$225 and $299
The most common housing type identified by
survey respondents was private rental (60.2%),
followed by public rental (12.6%), living with
relatives (7%), homeowner/mortgage(6.6%) and
other (5.1%)
Respondents living in private rental
accommodation were most likely to be spending
more than 75% of their family income on housing
costs (30.6%)
Over 7% of survey respondents indicated that a
and 44% were born overseas
member of their household has gambled regularly
The main income source of respondents include
within the last 12 months with losses more than
Disability Support Pension (25.5%), Newstart
they can afford
Allowance (20.3%), Status Resolution Support
The most common reasons for seeking ER was
housing costs (56.6%). This has more than doubled
2014 ER Survey Report snapshot:
The most commonly identified costs causing
10% of survey respondents indicated that as far as
Services payment(SRSS) (19.9%), Parenting
they knew, someone in their household had
Payment Single (12.5%) and Carer Allowance
regularly used substances/drugs in the previous 12
(5.6%)
months
44.4% of survey respondents reported they had a
17% of survey respondents indicated that a
household income of less than $400 per week.
member of their household had been affected by
76.6% had an income of less than $600 per week
family violence in the preceding 12 months
45% of respondents indicated that a member of
their household had received therapy or
counselling for mental health in the previous year