SACOSS’ quarterly Cost of Living Updates have consistently shown that while many households are hit with prices rises in areas like utilities, low income households are particularly struggling to make ends meet. On average they spend proportionately more of their income on current housing costs and on basic necessities like food, electricity, water and health care – all of which have been going up faster than the general inflation rate (and therefore faster than CPI-pegged incomes such as Newstart, Youth Allowance and many low income wages). Low income households also have fewer resources available to cope with rising prices, unexpected bills or other financial stresses.
Accordingly, SACOSS is proposing a Cost of Living Relief Package to relieve pressure on the most vulnerable households. The package proposes 12 measures in the following areas:
- Housing
- Utilities
- Transport
- Debt
Download the SACOSS Cost of Living Relief Package.
Background information Downloads
Housing
SACOSS (2013), Cost of Living Update No. 16, September Qtr, 2013: Housing.
Interview with Ross Womersley, SACOSS Executive Director on the Cost of Living Update on housing. Broadcast on Broadcast on Radio Adelaide's Small Change program on 12 November, 2013.
Interview with Astra Fleetwood, from Anglicare SA’s Housing and Financial Inclusion department on housing stress, financial hardship and people facing homelessness. Broadcast on Radio Adelaide's Small Change program on 12 November, 2013.
Utilities
SACOSS Cost of Living Update No. 15, June Qtr, 2013: Telecommunications
SACOSS Cost of Living Update No. 12, September Qtr, 2012: Utilities
Transport
Interview with Rob Foggo, CEO of AC Care based in Mt Gambier speaking on the Patient Assistance Transport Scheme. Broadcast on Radio Adelaide's Small Change program on 4 February, 2014.
Interview with Philip Beddall, long time social justice and disability advocate (and SACOSS Deputy Chair) speaking on the SA Taxi Subsidy Scheme (access cabs for those with disability). Broadcast on Radio Adelaide's Small Change program on 4 February, 2014.
SACOSS Cost of Living Update No.17, Dec Qtr, 2013: Concessions
SACOSS Cost of Living Update No. 10, March Qtr, 2012: Transport
Debt
Interview with Adam Mooney from Good Shepherd Microfinance talking about debt issues and the Debt Deduct scheme, broadcast on Radio Adelaide's Small Change program on 3 December, 2013.
South Australia Consumer Credit Legal Services: A Scoping Study
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