MORE than half of the Mid North Coast’s low-income households are going without meals due to cost-of-living pressures, according to a report commissioned by the NSW Council Of Social Services (NCOSS).

The report, titled “Impossible Choices: Decisions NSW communities shouldn’t have to make”, was the result of a survey of 1080 people across NSW on low incomes or living below the poverty line.

It was undertaken by the University of Technology Sydney this year.

Below the poverty line is defined as households living on less than 50 percent of the median NSW household income, which is below $560 per week (after tax and housing costs).

Low-income households are defined as households living on 50 percent to 80 percent of the median NSW household income, which is $560 – $896 per week (also after tax and housing costs).

The research revealed the following across the Mid North Coast:

– 55 percent went without meals because they were short of money

– 71 percent had no money set aside for emergencies

– 58 percent could not afford to travel for essential reasons (e.g. to work, or to attend education)

– 56 percent are in housing stress (i.e. they spend more than 30 percent of their income on housing)

– 52 percent went without prescribed medication or healthcare

In Coffs Harbour and Grafton:

– 61 percent are in housing stress

– 46 percent had no money set aside for emergencies

– 27 percent are going without prescribed medication or healthcare

– 23 percent went without meals

– 20 percent could not afford to travel for essential reasons

NCOSS CEO Cara Varian said the research had demonstrated the extreme impacts being felt by households.

“Mid North Coast families should not be forced to choose between paying for food or medication.

“The basics of life should not be considered a luxury that most low-income families cannot afford.

“These impossible choices make every day a challenge and, most disturbingly, we are setting up intergenerational disadvantages.

“We must do better.”

Single parents were the hardest hit across the state, with nine out of ten going without essentials over the past year.

Children also bore the brunt of cost of living pressures, with parents forced to cut back on meals, healthcare and education.

“The ripple effects of these sacrifices are profound, causing increased stress and tension within households, affecting relationships, mental health and wellbeing, and child development outcomes.

“Most people on low incomes in this survey were working, many taking on additional jobs and hours but still going backwards.

“Even those who received a pay rise could not match the increase to their costs of living.”

Ms Varian said the peak body had a set of recommendations for the NSW and Commonwealth Governments, developed in consultation with NCOSS members.

“These are complex issues, but governments have the power to change them.”

The recommendations include lifting Commonwealth income support for Jobseekers, Youth Allowance and Parenting Payments and increasing the rate of Commonwealth Rent Assistance.

Other recommendations included:

– ensuring ten percent of all NSW housing is social and affordable, making NSW rental increases fair and reasonable.

– urgently implementing no grounds evictions for all lease types.

– legislating rental bidding.

– providing universal early childcare and implementing a universal school food program in NSW

– providing adequate funding for NSW emergency food relief services

– expanding public transport concessions to better support people on low incomes

– improving bus networks in regional, rural and remote communities.

“Implementing our recommendations would significantly ease the crushing pressure that is pushing people to breaking point,” Ms Varian said.

To read the full report, visit ncoss.org.au.

By Andrew VIVIAN