More than a quarter of low to middle income families in regional NSW spend more than they earn while 11 per cent don’t have enough money for basic essentials like food or power.
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Startling figures from the annual Cost of Living Report by the Council of Social Service of NSW (NCOSS), released on Thursday, outline the growing gap between the haves and the have-nots, especially in regional NSW. Families are forgoing essentials like medical treatment or clothing, as living costs put the squeeze on.
A staggering one in seven children live in poverty across NSW. Almost a third of regional families have put off medical appointments due to lack of money, while 43 per cent have put off dental visits.
Only half of all regional families have $500 or more of savings in an emergency, while more than half have significant concerns about paying for rent, education expenses and internet.
The Illawarra Forum, the peak regional body for community services, is a member of NCOSS. Forum CEO Nicky Sloan said people in the region were doing it tough, and the figures in the report did not surprise her.
‘‘People in regional communities are struggling to survive on low incomes, especially in the Illawarra where our rental and property prices are so high. People are paying a high percentage of their income just to have somewhere to live,’’ Ms Sloan said.
‘‘Most of the community aren’t aware of the level of disadvantage some residents are experiencing in this area, particularly in the Shoalhaven.’’
Ms Sloan said local agencies regularly dealt with clients unable to afford even the most basic of items.
‘‘There are really shocking cases of people going without food, where a haircut is a luxury they won’t consider,’’ she said.
‘‘We know of parents not eating so their kids can eat, of people not buying food in order to pay their bills. It is important reports like this come out, so the community knows it’s happening.’’