Federal funding pulled from WA charity helping people struggling with cost of living, leaving futures uncertain
Elizabeth Wright had been relying on Wattle House, a charity in south-east Perth, for help. (ABC News: Daryna Zadvirna)
In short:
Wattle House, a charity in south-east Perth that provides food and financial assistance for people who are struggling, has lost its federal funding.
The charity's program manager says the service is having to say no to people who are in desperate need of help.
What's next?
A Lotterywest grant is keeping the service temporarily operating at limited capacity, but its future beyond the middle of this year is uncertain.
At 81 years old, Elizabeth Wright never imagined she would come close to sleeping on the street.
Last year, the pensioner fell behind on her soaring rental payments, and her landlord gave her 60 days' notice when the owner decided to sell the home.
"I really thought I was going to live on the street," she told the ABC.
Without family support, Ms Wright had already been relying on Wattle House — a charity in south-east Perth — for help.
Elizabeth Wright says the assistance she got from Wattle House was a great help. (ABC News: Daryna Zadvirna)
Operated by Mission Australia, the service provides food and financial assistance for rent, medicine, clothes, fuel, and other living necessities.
Living alone and often forced to go without meals, Ms Wright said it played a critical role in keeping her afloat.
Funding blow
But after losing federal funding in October, the service may soon shut down.
Despite experiencing a fourfold increase in demand over the past two years, staff say they will have to turn away thousands amid the cost-of-living crisis.
"There were times I didn't have very much to eat," Ms Wright said.
Elizabeth Wright is facing a grim housing reality. (ABC News: Daryna Zadvirna)
"Without that help, I honestly don't know where I'd be … I've been through it, and I'm still sort of going through it."
For single mother-of-six Nyabuony, Wattle House was a lifeline after fleeing from an abusive partner in Victoria with her children and arriving in WA with nowhere to live.
Nyabuony spent weeks in motels and refuges before being referred to Wattle House earlier this year.
Nyabuony came to rely on Wattle House after fleeing an abusive relationship. (ABC News: Daryna Zadvirna)
"I was homeless … I didn't know anybody here," she said.
"I've got three daughters that need a childcare, and I cannot afford it, so I'm not working and it's very difficult at the moment."
The service helped furnish her home, provided food and vouchers, and connected her with financial counsellors and TAFE.
Nyabuony says the service was invaluable in rebuilding her life. (ABC News: Daryna Zadvirna)
But the young mother said since the service lost funding, assistance has become more sporadic and she is afraid for when it runs out altogether.
Nyabuony said her budget was so stretched, providing three meals per day for her children was challenging.
"Food doesn't last two weeks — maybe one," she said.
'I can't help you'
Wattle House program manager Leanne Jayaseela said stories like Elizabeth's and Nyabuony's are becoming increasingly common.
Leanne Jayaseela is worried more people will be turned away. (ABC News: Daryna Zadvirna)
Ms Jayaseela said many people are one crisis away from being in the same position.
"We're seeing people who never thought they'd need help," she said.
"They're struggling with paying rent. They're struggling with just putting regular meals on the table."
A Lotterywest grant is keeping the service temporarily operating at limited capacity but its future beyond the middle of this year is uncertain.
"We we're trying to deal with the fallout of that and it's having to say no to people," she said.
"It's having to see people come with the door closed. It's having to say 'I'm so sorry, but no, I can't help you'."
A notice telling people about funding cuts to Wattle House. (ABC News: Daryna Zadvirna)
People struggling
Recent data from the Australian Bureau of Statistics found annual living costs increased for all household types by between 2.3 and 4.2 per cent last year.
Higher housing and food costs were the main drivers, according to the ABS, and these were two of the biggest and least avoidable expenses in household budgets.
A Department of Social Services spokesperson told the ABC that funding for emergency relief has increased across the country.
"The government continues to closely monitor the demand for financial wellbeing and capability programs to ensure we are responding to the emerging needs of communities," the spokesperson said.
They added that the south-east Perth region will be supported by funding provided to other emergency relief providers.