170 Years of Care: Anglicare Urges Action on Rising Poverty and Housing Stress

Anglicare is celebrating 170 years of service, and CEO Simon Miller says Christians must continue urging government to consider economic challenges through the lens of the less fortunate.

When Anglicare first started, “the city was quite a young city, but it already kind of bifurcated into these two worlds”.

“There was terrible poverty on one end and at the other end there was kind of opulence and decadence,” Simon told Hope 103.2.

At the time Anglicare was founded – as The Church Society – there was little government support available for people doing it tough, making the church a key source of welfare support.

“There was no aged care, there was no Social Security, there was no NDIS,” Simon said.

“The way people received the care that they needed when they fell on hard times was through local churches.”

Founding bishop Frederick Barker wanted churches to become places where people could “both meet Jesus and have their material needs met”.

More than a century later, Simon believes churches still play a vital role in supporting people facing hardship, particularly when partnered with community organisations.

“The church provides the connection, provides that welcome, provides an opportunity for people to get to know each other, to be woven into a community,” he said.

“And Anglicare provides the professional support and the resourcing to actually bring that to life.”

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Founding bishop Frederick Barker wanted churches to become places where people could “both meet Jesus and have their material needs met”.

Among the growing challenges facing families across Sydney is housing stress. Anglicare’s latest Hungry or Homeless report found affordable rentals have dropped sharply over the past five years, and households are struggling to prioritise needs.

“We’re seeing the emergence of, for example, hygiene poverty,” Simon said.

“People saying [they] simply can’t afford to shower or buy soap and deodorant because they’re making that choice between a roof over their heads or buying those basics that allow them to remain in society.”

In response, Anglicare is offering budgeting support, advocating the government and expanding housing options, including accommodation for older women escaping domestic violence and key workers struggling to live near their jobs.

“We have just started providing key worker housing,” Simon said.

“That is for people who are working in essential jobs, particularly in the care economy, who need to have safe accommodation for them and their families close to where they work.

“It’s a fantastic way of actually being able to support people in the care economy [who then are] able to serve and meet the needs of others in our community.”

During the 170th anniversary celebrations, Anglicare has been considering the theme of steadfast love that has endured throughout the organisation’s history. It draws on the biblical concept of God’s enduring kindness and mercy.

“It’s about a love that is ongoing and constant, not a love that is convenient or transactional,” he said.

As Anglicare celebrates this milestone, Simon encourages Australians to continue praying, giving and advocating for vulnerable people in their communities.

“[This anniversary] is an opportunity for people to continue to engage with government and for Christians to remain active in the public square,” he said.

“Write to the local MPs to get involved and actually to say, ‘Listen, we need to do something about some of these challenges that we see in society’.

“What Frederick Barker saw 170 years ago, we’re still seeing today,” Simon said.

“And there’s a real opportunity for church, Anglicare and government to support people and to change the face of the city.”

Feature image: Supplied