When Thelma* lost her husband, she didn’t just lose a partner—she lost her financial security almost overnight.

When Jess moved out of home at 17, she no longer faced domestic violence—but without secure housing, she was still unsafe.

And when the rental property Natalie lived in with her three children was sold, they were left with nowhere to go but their car.

Sadly, stories like these are becoming increasingly common across Australia. So many families are living week to week, just one unexpected event away from homelessness, with no ability to save for emergencies.

Data from Anglicare’s latest Rental Affordability Snapshot confirms what these stories tell us: housing stress is no longer temporary. It’s structural.

Even people on minimum wage now have access to only a small fraction of rental listings. For those relying on income support, suitable options are virtually non-existent.

Support services like Anglicare are stepping in to bridge the gap.

Through Anglicare’s Financial Counselling program, Thelma was able to stabilise her situation. While a return to the private rental market wasn’t possible, Anglicare supported Thelma to secure a powered, permanent site in a safe caravan park—restoring dignity, stability and a sense of security.

For Jess, after periods of unstable housing and multiple moves, she has found a more secure place to live. While she still relies on emergency food relief during particularly tight months, she is now able to focus on finishing university—something that once felt out of reach.

And with Anglicare’s support, Natalie and her children were able to access crisis accommodation. More than two years on, they are still waiting and applying for long-term housing options—highlighting just how limited those options remain.

But many others are still waiting for that same support.

When housing becomes unaffordable, the consequences reach far beyond shelter. People skip meals. Health declines. Job security weakens. Increasingly, more individuals and families are turning to crisis services as everyday costs continue to rise.

Anglicare continues to respond—providing emergency relief, offering practical support before crisis escalates, and advocating for long-term solutions through research and policy work.

If you haven’t yet, please consider donating to our Winter Appeal. Together we can make a difference today.