Emergency Relief (ER) is a crucial part of survival for the many Western Australians in financial hardship. For some, ER may be a food voucher after an unexpected job loss, or a utilities payment to help keep the lights on during a medical crisis, or support to secure temporary accommodation when housing becomes unsafe. For many others, low and insecure incomes, unaffordable housing, high living costs, and limited access to essential services cause ongoing financial stress, making ER a regular part of meeting their basic needs.
In recent years, rising living costs, tight rental markets, and layered social and health pressures have increased demand for ER across the state, with services reporting more people seeking help, more often, and with more complex circumstances.
Supported by Lotterywest and WACOSS, this project is gathering stories from ER recipients and service providers, creating case studies and journey maps to understand the impact of providing ER for recipients during the current cost-of-living crisis. This qualitative information aims to complement the quantitative data that already exists on the increased demand in recent years providing a deeper understanding of the ER journey and the need for ongoing and increased funding to meet the evolving needs of people seeking ER.
By mapping the funding landscape and the way ER is experienced by service providers and service users, the report aims to identify strengths, gaps, and emerging risks and consider the extent of the ongoing need as well as what “good” looks like on the ground.
The report will provide a snapshot of the current ER funding environment in WA, drawing together the major streams that underpin service delivery: Commonwealth funding (including key programs delivered through community organisations), Western Australian Government investment (through targeted portfolios, grants, and place-based responses), and Lotterywest funding (supporting community-led approaches, service innovation, and capacity building). While these sources share a common purpose, they differ in objectives, eligibility, reporting requirements, and the degree of flexibility available to respond to local need.
It will touch on the growth in need for ER in Western Australia in recent years and the systemic causes that lead to the criticality of sustainable funding to assist people in need. These system level failings mean that many Western Australians are falling through the cracks, despite their best efforts.