NSW: Needy slip through the cracks due to funding shortages

AAP General News (Australia)
04-04-2005
NSW: Needy slip through the cracks due to funding shortages

Almost three quarters of non-government community service agencies are failing to meet
demands for their services because of funding shortages and risk closure as a result.

The Australian Community Sector Survey 2005 reveals 74 per cent of such community service
agencies were unable to attend all the people seeking their services during 2003-04.

The Council of Social Service of New South Wales says the biggest increases in the
incidence of people being turned away are in the areas of child care, housing assistance,
community legal and financial and material support services.

NCOSS director GARY MOORE says the demand for services is outweighing income, with
62 per cent of respondents indicating that income for the same period had not met costs.

Mr MOORE says the survey results suggest the long term viability of many agencies may
be in jeopardy unless they receive concerted government and community sector action.

The survey shows the agencies provided nearly 11 per cent more services than in the
previous 12 months.

Mr MOORE says the survey highlights the need for a commitment to more funds and better
social and economic policies.

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KEYWORD: SERVICES NSW (SYDNEY)

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