QCOSS report and Vinnies say Toowoomba families some of worst-off across state for cost-of-living pressures

As families come together for the festive season, a new report has revealed Toowoomba families are among the hardest hit in the state by increasing cost of living pressures, with some forced to skip meals just to pay the bills.

Thousands of families are feeling the pressure to provide a magical experience for their children this festive season as costs of living continue to rise.

New data has revealed Toowoomba low-income families are some of the worst-off in the state when it comes to financial stress, with some reportedly spending 50 per cent of their weekly income on rent.

Regional president for the St Vincent de Paul Society Peter Cavanagh said it was heartbreaking to see so many families struggling to make ends meet.

Almost 500 hampers have been distributed this month by the organisation to support families, with food, gift cards and toys donated.

“For lots of families who would otherwise be OK … because of the cost of living, if anything at all happens in their lives, it doesn’t take much to tip them over the edge,” he said.

According to the 2022 QCOSS Living affordability in Queensland report, Toowoomba couples with one-full time worker and two children, and a single unemployed parent with two children, are hundreds of dollars in deficit each week.

“A two-decade high inflation rate, housing stressing, and spiralling energy prices are squeezing households’ budgets beyond what people can handle,” QCOSS CEO Aimee McVeigh said.

“We know that people on low incomes spend a higher proportion of their income on essential

expenses like food, fuel and housing. They, in particular, need urgent help. People are

skipping meals or medication simply to pay their bills.”

Mr Cavanagh said the biggest issue facing Toowoomba families at the moment was the unstable housing crisis.

He said regional officers were seeing families with children, who would not be struggling, forced to live in their cars after their rental properties were suddenly sold and they had nowhere to go.

The issue of homelessness had grown beyond the notion of men sleeping rough on a park bench, Mr Cavanagh said.

“We’ve had a woman in her 70s sleeping in her car, and a family of six now living in a caravan park,” he said.

“With such little housing available, people who can pay for rent, have nowhere to go.”

With the increased costs of fuel, power, groceries and more, Mr Cavanagh said even residents who still have somewhere to live, are forced to make some tough decisions.

“You just have to hold on like grim death cause there’s no alternative,” he said.

“These are people who would normally be able to sustain themselves, and now they need more support.

“We’re tyring to get people to where they can look after themselves again, and get them over the hump.

“You’re one of us, and we’re here to help.”