Life on the edge

By Nicole Williams
GREATER Dandenong residents are struggling to stay afloat with the rising cost of living.
Councillor Roz Blades sees many people in her role with the Springvale Benevolent Society who request help for various reasons.
But in recent years, Cr Blades has seen the cost of living have a huge impact on local families.
“It hits the working poor and in the last couple of years I have noticed the impact,” she said.
Cr Blades said she has come across at least two instances where people have taken unusual measures to be able to survive.
“I’ve been involved in calls where two families are living together to cut bills and halve the rent,” she said.
“These are all hardworking good people who just don’t earn enough money.”
Dirk Francke, Clinical Manager at Dandenong Positive Lifestyle Centre run by the Salvation Army said single people were starting to offer rooms to rent.
“People have indicated that people are bunking or boarding to bring in some extra income but that brings its own level of problems,” he said.
“Single parents, who can only work limited hours because of children, are desperate and inviting a person into their house.”
Cr Blades and Mr Francke said it was also common for the working poor to earn just over the welfare limit which excludes them for a health care card.
“These people pay full cost for everything – prescription, rates, medical costs – everything is high and there are no relief for that group,” Cr Blades said.
Mr Francke said if the person was on medication it jumps up, travelling costs increase and they don’t get discounts on utilities.
“The extra dollars in their pay doesn’t cover that.”
Mr Francke said the lifestyle centre mostly works with single working clients whose income doesn’t cover food or petrol as well as rising rent.
“We do see a lot of clients who are in boarding houses where rent is about $180 a week,” he said.
“That’s pretty high when Centrelink payments are about $500 a fortnight.
“They’re struggling to even pay for food.”
Cr Blades said something needs to change.
“If you want to the economy to thrive, people need to spend disposable income but if people haven’t got money to pay bills they’re not out their buying extra things – they’re only buying what they absolutely have to buy.
“We have to step in and try to manage that as best we can.”
Cr Blades is currently co-ordinating a blanket, pillow and food drive to help the working poor in Greater Dandenong.
“We are so grateful to people to have already donated,” she said.
“If people can manage and extra can of food a week when shopping, it’s all a help and it’s not a big imposition on the shopping bill.”
The society is accepting donations of blankets, new pillows and food staples, which can be donated by calling the Springvale Benevolent Society on 9546 5558.