Poverty is Everyone's Business

Poverty is everyone's business

What is poverty?

Poverty is often described as a lack of money to meet basic needs such as food, clothing and shelter. Poverty can be making difficult decisions between which bills to pay. Poverty can be being sick and not being able to see a doctor. Many of us are only one life event away from poverty, not having enough funds to support ourselves if life altering circumstances occur.

The rising cost of living and lack of affordable housing affects everyone some more than others.

1 in 5 people live in poverty in Greater Dandenong
1 in 4 children live in poverty in Greater Dandenong

Poverty is everyone's business and everyone has a role to play.

Anti-Poverty Consortium

The Anti-Poverty Consortium is a collaborative partnership with local community organisations and Greater Dandenong City Council to address poverty and its impacts in Greater Dandenong. We focus on creating sustainable solutions and advocating for systemic change to support our most vulnerable residents.

Over the coming year we will advocate for funding to work on the following priorities:

Emergency funds for place-based organisations.
Initiatives to address food insecurity.
Early Intervention and community education.
A safe place for the homeless to seek respite. 
Improve conditions for rooming house residents.
Intensive general casework support in the form of outreach.

The consortium believes that poverty is a shared responsibility, and by working together we can create meaningful change.

You too can help find out how by emailing the consortium at poverty@cgd.vic.gov.au

If you need help don’t wait, ask for help as quickly as possible. 

Anti-Poverty Steering Committee

The Anti-Poverty Steering Committee is a leadership group within the consortium, comprising three representatives from member organisations. The committee plays a vital role in:

Advocating to local members of parliament and other decision-makers asking for meaningful changes to address poverty.
Ensuring that lived experiences from the community are central to shaping policy and solutions.

Through their advocacy efforts, the committee seeks to influence public policy and secure funding for initiatives that directly address poverty and inequality in Greater Dandenong.

Council’s role in the consortium

Greater Dandenong City Council is a proud partner of the Anti-Poverty Consortium and actively supports its efforts to address poverty. As part of this partnership, Council collaborates with consortium members, lends its advocacy voice, and works to align its policies with the consortium’s goals.

Council recognizes that tackling poverty requires collective action and is committed to being an active partner in this important work.

Ask Izzy

Ask Izzy connects people who are in crisis with services that are required straight away. It is a one-stop shop for services and supports for the community providing localised and reachable services.

Visit the Ask Izzy website for more information.

Local support organisations

Council has put together a list of agencies that may be able to provide emergency food relief and material aid. Please note that hours of service may change without notice. Please contact the agency to confirm services available.

Download the support agency list - 24KB

Anti-Poverty Strategy

The City of Greater Dandenong Anti-Poverty Strategy 2022–25 acknowledges the value of working with place based organisations to understand the needs within the community. We also recognise the ongoing need to consult and work alongside the voice of lived experience to develop long term solutions.

If Government, business and community work together to influence and create the conditions for people to move out of poverty, we all benefit. Council believes that we are all a part of the solution.