MORE struggling homeowners are accessing financial support from organisations like the Chelsea Community Support Service than ever before.
With the cost of living crisis continuing to have an impact, the Chelsea Community Support Service is seeing more and more new faces through its doors. Centre manager Emerald Bourne said the demographics of people needing help is changing. “We are seeing an increase in people with mortgages, and an increase in people who work on minimum wages needing food or food vouchers. We often find they are hugely behind in bills, or have gone through a separation, and they can’t afford prescriptions or things they need such as school shoes,” Bourne said. “The amount of new people coming to our service has spiked.
“Often you see the same cohorts all living on the smell of an oily rag living through multi-generational poverty. What we are not used to is seeing new faces come through that don’t fit what you imagine someone who is welfare-dependent would be. Mortgage payers haven’t ever been part of our demographic, now they are.”
Bourne said that the housing market is impacting more and more locals. “The cost of living crisis has people feeling the squeeze from every area. I’ve heard from people receiving rental rate increases, and even eviction notices to rebuild their homes into fancy townhouses.”
The Chelsea Community Support Service offers a range of assistance measures to people in need. Bourne said “unexpected bills – vet bills, or dental bills or mechanics – those people would come and seek out support from agencies like ours. Over time with what people receive on [JobSeeker] or the disability support pension, our services have grown.
“It’s cold at the moment so if anyone needs a hand we have done a coat drive with stock for the homeless, including sleeping bags. Also if your heating bills are huge we have direct links with hardship teams, so we can help people stay warm.”
The Chelsea Community Support Service acts as a first point of contact for struggling people, and often refers clients to other agencies. The support service is on the lookout for volunteers.
Chelsea Community Support Service is open every weekday at 1a Chelsea Road in Chelsea from 9.30am to 3pm. No appointments are needed. For more information visit chelsea.org.au.
First published in the Chelsea Mordialloc Mentone News – 25 June 2025