Vinnies believe the 2016 Census results paint a bleak picture for those struggling to make ends meet this winter.
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In NSW, the percentage of people affected by rental stress, whereby rent takes up more than 30 per cent of their household income, has gone up from 11.6 per cent in 2011 to 12.9 per cent in 2016.
According to the latest Census, in the Illawarra this figure is at 12.3 per cent.
In the five years, median mortgage repayments across the Illawarra stayed the same at $1950. However, renters’ weekly payments jumped by 32 per cent – to $330 – in the same period.
Peter Quarmby, executive officer for St Vincent de Paul Society’s Wollongong Central Council said the effects of rental/housing stress were compounded by recent electricity and gas price hikes.
“The impact on people is quite incredible, particularly those people on low incomes who are really struggling to make ends meet,” he said.
“So often what we’re hearing about is people who are not using their heaters during winter because they just can’t afford it.”
To donate to Vinnies’ Winter Appeal, phone 131 812.
