b'Cant afford to live.Soaring rental and fuelprices alongside rocketing grocery receipts are trapping low-income families in astate of financial distressand pushing many deeperinto poverty.Research conducted by Uniting Vic.Tas Since the report was published, Uniting CEO, and Swinburne Universitys Centre for Bronwyn Pike and Manager of Advocacy and Social Impact, lays bare the devastatingPublic Policy, Thomas Johnson, appeared before effects of the rising cost of living onthe Senate Community Affairs References vulnerable low-income earners across Committee Inquiry into the extent and natureboth Victoria and Tasmania. of poverty in Australia where they provided The Cant afford to live report provides evidencefurther evidence of the daily impacts of poverty that these rising costs are deepening financial,and inequality on the people Uniting works housing and food insecurity, increasing socialalongside. Uniting has also provided a written isolation and impacting peoples mental andsubmission to the Inquiry.physical health.The report surveyed 112 people, including thoseRead theon income support, those working full-time,full reportparents, carers and retirees.A parent summed up their despair at the rising cost of living, [The most significant impact is on] my mental health, I feel like a failure as a parent because I cant afford to care for my children. The Cant afford Another parent shared, We no longer can reallyto live report.afford extras. My children are having to continue missing out on things, simply because I have toThe Cant afford to live report found:buy food. 92% of respondents were cutting back Uniting Vic.Tas CEO, Bronwyn Pike said manyon food and groceries due to costsfamilies are being forced to make impossibleOne in two respondents experienced choices between everyday essentials. mental health impacts resulting from People can only live a safe and dignified life ifthe cost of living increasesthey can afford lifes essentials and can live freeParents, carers and people with a from constant worry about how they will keep disability were skipping meals evena roof over their heads and food on their table, if cooking for othersMs Pike said. More than 1 in 10 reported an increased risk of family violence due to the strain of making ends meet.10 Supporter Newsletter Autumn 2023'