Funding boost for Melbourne emergency relief providers

The Morrison Government is providing additional $4.22 million in emergency relief funding for providers in greater Melbourne to support increased demand.

Minister for Families and Social Services Anne Ruston said the funding would ensure service providers could continue providing emergency relief to Victorians hit hard by the pandemic.

“The Morrison Government understands that Victorians have been doing it tough as they deal with the second wave of the virus,” Minister Ruston said.

“This funding ensures emergency relief providers can support about 40,000 Victorians facing financial hardship with purchasing food, clothing, petrol or paying for utilities and housing.

“This boost in funding will be shared among seven providers and allow them to continue helping people who are seeking support at such a critical time.”

The service providers receiving additional funding are the Salvation Army (Victoria), Anglicare Victoria, Australian Multicultural Community Services, CatholicCare Victoria Tasmania, Community Information and Support Victoria, Uniting (Victoria and Tasmania) Limited and Victorian Aboriginal Child Care Agency Limited.

In addition, the Government is providing almost $30,000 to assist two providers in the Northern Territory deliver local emergency relief services.

The funding comes under the Government’s $200 million Community Services COVID-19 emergency response package. It has been allocated based on information from the sector-led National Coordination Group, which is advising the Minister on emergency relief needs during the pandemic.

More information about emergency relief and service providers is available on the Department of Social Services website.