Since August 2022, we have asked respondents questions related to food and housing security and found many were reporting high levels of insecurity. This Taking the Pulse of the Nation (TTPN) report compares responses from the surveys conducted in August 2022, February 2023, and August 2023.
While there have been modest improvements for some, we find younger adults, singles, single parents, the unemployed, and those with high levels of mental distress continue to report high levels of insecurity.1 When we include other sources of financial security, such as paying utility bills and deferring medical attention, we find most groups (those aged 18-54, singles, single parents, couples with children, unemployed, part-timers, and those living in Queensland, Western Australia, Tasmania, and the Northern Territory) report rates greater than 50 percent for one or more of housing, energy, health, and food insecurities.2
Compared to six months ago, we see increases in challenges associated with covering housing/utilities and seeing a doctor. For many groups, challenges associated with getting enough food (and healthy food) have started to decline.