DISCUSSION
Whittlesea Community Connections has more than 17 years’
experience in responding to the community’s financial
vulnerability through emergency relief and other services and
programs. Many of the users of emergency relief are not only
impacted by periodic income vulnerability but also by broad
ranging and intergenerational poverty, social deprivation and
the risk of homelessness and social exclusion.
This survey explores the difficulties of the residents of the
City of Whittlesea who, for one reason or another, are unable
to meet their basic living needs or who have particular
vulnerability to unexpected life events that place them under
difficult-to-manage financial strain. The evidence gathered
tells a worrying tale of individuals and families who spend so
much on housing that they are then unable to meet their
needs for other essentials. It tells of new arrivals that in the
first years of the settlement process have yet to develop the
networks and knowledge to successfully establish financial
resilience. It tells of the many asylum seekers living locally
who struggle with daily living without the support of
agencies. It tells of the disproportionate burden of poverty
placed on women, particularly women who are single-heads
of households. The survey also tells of the enormous gap
between demand for support and the capacity to respond to
that demand.
Demographics
The City of Whittlesea ranks 6th (out of 31 Metropolitan LGAs)
for SEIFA disadvantage and has the 3rd fastest growth rate in
Victoria. An interface municipality to Melbourne's North, it is
characterised by diversity in age, cultural backgrounds and
geographic conditions. The City of Whittlesea Council forecasts
the current population will increase by 16% in the next four
years and by 71% by 20359. Whittlesea is one of Victoria's
most diverse areas with over a third of residents born
overseas and more people from non-English speaking
backgrounds than Greater Melbourne (GM) (31.4% compared
to 24%)10. Whilst this contributes to Whittlesea's unique,
vibrant character, it also means that many face additional
obstacles to accessing supports and services, including
language and cultural barriers and lack of awareness of how or
where to seek support. With a high proportion of new arrivals,
vulnerable new communities consisting largely of families with
children are becoming isolated, experiencing physical and
other health issues that are directly related to a lack of health,
education, and community services.
Over a third of residents in the COW
are from a Non English Speaking
Background
Population will increase by 71% by
2035
“I wouldn't be able to financially survive
without ER support”
9
Population Forecasts, City of Whittlesea,
http://forecast.id.com.au/whittlesea/home
10
Profile ID, City of Whittlesea; Birthplace,
http://profile.id.com.au/whittlesea/birthplace
9