7/21/2023 0 Comments Community service in church![]() ![]() Since the start of this year the number of calls each month has stayed above 3,400 – and this is only one service. There has been a 150% rise in calls for assistance from people who own their own home outright.We have seen a 126% increase in people with a mortgage phoning for help. ![]() The number of people seeking support who are working – and still can’t make ends meet - has doubled since last January: What is more frightening is that people who normally would not need help to get by are now reaching out for support. This was a 74% increase on the same period in 2022, and the numbers continue to rise. In February, ERFAS received a record number of calls 3,761 people rang. Not only are those who are on lower income or were already facing hardship hurting, those who have been able to get by for most of their lives are now finding themselves in a hard place for the very first time. This is our challenge, and it looks like it will be here for a while. Looking back, we had no idea at the time that the pandemic would be a dress rehearsal for the pain so many families are now experiencing. We partnered with other organisations to make it easier for someone to access the help they needed and to provide wrap around support. Our dedicated team listens to those in need right across WA and connects them to local services for emergency relief support.ĮRFAS was established in the early days of the pandemic when lock downs and service closures made it hard for people to get help. The Emergency Relief and Food Access Service (ERFAS) is a free, accessible, phone-based service delivered by Anglicare WA on behalf of the Financial Wellbeing Collective. This month I want to share with you the reality of just how tough things are for our entire community, right now. If you are lucky enough to avoid the crisis, you will know someone that is not. Melissa Batchelor, Donor Relations Co-ordinator Western Australia is facing a real crisis, almost every household is feeling the effects of the rising cost of living, the rental crisis and interest rate rises. ![]()
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