The Salvation Army’s National Economic and Social Impact Survey results, released today, paint a grim picture for people in communities like Maitland who are in crisis.

While the findings of the annual survey are disturbing, many of them are unsurprising.

Of the 2406 participants, 88 per cent relied on some kind of income support, 35 per cent received a NewStart unemployment payment and 76 per cent rented their homes.

The most startling figure to come out of the survey was $17.86 – that’s the amount of money that the average person who sought emergency help from the Salvos had per day after they paid their rent.

That’s barely enough money to buy dinner, let alone pay for the multiple other expense that are part of daily life including transport.

It’s little wonder that 86 per cent of people surveyed could not afford five or more essential items each week.

With a high unemployment rate, lack of affordable homes and decade-long waiting lists for social housing in Maitland, it’s easy to see why our city reflects the survey’s national trend.

Maitland Salvation Army Major Ian Channell told the Mercury that unemployment was the key factor that drove people to crisis point in the Hunter.

His story of the Maitland couple who were forced to sell everything, even their washing machine, so they could pay their mortgage after the man lost his job in the mines was a stark reminder of how important organisations like the Salvos are.

This month the Salvation Army will hold its annual fundraising event, the Red Shield Appeal.

So please, give generously.