The costs of delivering community services are increasing. Costs related to labour, audit, accounting and marketing have all seen significant increases. As these expenses are not discretionary, they must be met in order to continue to deliver essential frontline services to our communities.
There are around 150,000 households across Queensland with unmet housing needs. These households are either experiencing homelessness, or are low-income households in private rentals, paying more than 30 per cent of household income in rent.
In 2022, Queensland communities moved through the ongoing impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic, a series of devastating natural disasters throughout the state, and navigated the deepening housing and cost-of-living crises. Difficult times, however, also brought communities closer together.
QCOSS acknowledges the important role that the Queensland Family and Child Commission (QFCC) play in providing systemic oversight and advocacy within the child protection and family support system within Queensland.
Each year, QCOSS produces a Living Affordability Report to determine whether low-income households can afford a basic standard of living. The 2022 Living Affordability in Queensland report documents the impacts of high inflation, rising energy costs and low housing affordability, which are key drivers of financial hardship for Queensland households.
As a sector that delivers services to people who are often experiencing disadvantage and vulnerability, it is important for community organisations to know they are providing safe and appropriate services to individuals and to the community more broadly.
The Queensland government must invest in strategic, long-term initiatives that reduces homelessness and inequality.
Key political milestones saw 2021-22 finish strongly for QCOSS and our members, with the federal election in May 2022 and Queensland Budget in June 2022 driving extensive advocacy for more social housing investment, increases to income support payments and cost of living relief.
QCOSS supports the decriminalisation of public intoxication, begging in a public place, and urinating in a public place.
The community services sector is the beating heart of Queensland’s economy. We are part of the largest employer group in Queensland. On any given day almost 150,000 people go to work in our more than 10,000 charities. Our essential work is supported by more than 324,000 volunteers.
