The continuing COVID-19 pandemic is pushing New Zealand's most vulnerable communities "over the edge", the Salvation Army warns.
In its latest State of the Nation report, the Salvation Army says inequities are being "laid bare" as the pandemic rages on.
"A lot of families were already living on the edge when COVID-19 hit our country," says director of The Salvation Army's social policy and Parliamentary unit Lt-Colonel Ian Hutson.
"The pandemic not only pushed some of them over the edge, but also increased the vulnerability of others, pulling them closer to desperation."
Many whānau are struggling with the rising costs of food, rent and housing.
The report found the waitlist for social housing has ballooned to more than 25,000, leaving many families in temporary accommodation. It also found Māori are five times more likely to need social housing.
"The term 'housing crisis' become commonplace in Aotearoa," the report says.
While housing supply is increasing, most of it is unaffordable for vulnerable communities. Both average and median house sale prices continue to surge to new levels nationally and locally.
Rent prices are also on the rise, with traditionally lower-income areas having seen massive surges in rental costs, with costs increasing over five years from 0.4 percent to 35 percent in 2016.
"It's more than a crisis, it's a catastrophe."
It also found despite slow but steady progress in reducing child poverty there are now 21,000 more children living in benefit-dependent households than before the pandemic.
The number of children identified as victims of abuse, in particular sexual abuse, has increased a worrying amount, with the number of child victims of assault in 2021 being 30 percent higher than five years ago.
Rising inflation is taking its toll and affording food is still a struggle for some families, with 77,000 food parcels distributed to those in need by the Salvation Army in 2021.
"There was a rise in the number of people reporting their incomes were 'not adequate' since the COVID-19 restrictions began in March 2020."
The report paints a picture of the realities some families face.
"Our intention is to reflect what New Zealanders are seeing in the community," Lt-Colonel Hutson says.
"We aim to shine a light on the issues that affect the people most in need so that we as a nation can make the necessary changes to improve the wellbeing of the most vulnerable and make society better for everyone."
