The Salvation Army is preparing for its toughest Christmas in 140 years as cost-of-living pressures continue to impact Australians.
About 6.3 million people are expected to struggle with paying their rent or mortgage this Christmas, while one in four are worried their children may miss out on presents, according to research released by The Salvation Army today.
Major Warren Elliott told 9news.com.au that the number of people seeking help, especially for the first time, is reaching unprecedented levels.
The Salvation Army’s research found cost-of-living pressures were particularly challenging for families with children.
About 2.5 million families are worried their children will miss out on food, and 1.2 million won’t even talk about Christmas with their children because they can’t afford it.
“It’s gonna be the hardest Christmas for us in 140-year history because we’ve got so many more people coming to see us this year,” Elliott told 9news.com.au.
“The numbers are just going through the roof and they have been for a few years now and they just keep going up at Christmas time as more people particularly over these last two years have been feeling the squeeze.
“We’re finding more people are just looking to cut back over Christmas.”
Domain’s rental report, released earlier this month, shows the price of advertised rental units rose 12.9 per cent in Sydney, 14.6 per cent in Melbourne, 18 per cent in Brisbane and a whopping 22.2 per cent in Perth over the last year.
According to the research, about 1.9 million people will be reaching out to a charity for help this Christmas, with more than 54 per cent of them seeking assistance for the first time.
Meanwhile, about 19 per cent will struggle to pay medical bills this holiday season.
”The number of people that are cutting back over Christmas and saying they’re not going to have as much food or not going to have as many presents,” Elliot said.
“What sticks out to me is that people are making decisions about what they’re going to spend their money on. So some people are saying I’m gonna go without my medication or I won’t pay my mortgage or go back on those important payments, just to get through Christmas.
“People are putting themselves into financial difficulty… just to make sure that the kids have something. That concerns me that people will do that. We are saying if people are doing those things, let us help.
“Come and see us, even if it’s just with some budgeting advice, we can help people to sort out some of those difficulties.”
The Salvation Army is hoping to raise $27 million which will go towards providing Christmas hampers, meals and accommodation for those in need.
