The Red Shield Report 2026
27 May 2026
New research report released from The Salvation Army’s Research team reveals basic living costs are forcing people into hardship, many struggling to afford the rent, power and put food on the table.
Each year, we conduct research to better understanding of the experiences of people who receive support through our Doorways emergency relief services. More than 4400 people completed an online survey, sharing their perspectives on their life circumstance and financial challenges they faced in the past year.
We found that after covering essential expenses like housing, utilities and food, respondents were left with a short fall of $14 per week. This deficit fforced many to find alternative ways to make ends meet. Respondents reported selling personal items, borrowing money or relying on Buy-Now-Pay-Later services simply to get by. Most respondents were living well below the poverty line, with no buffer to manage unexpected costs or to plan beyond day-to-day survival. Nearly three quarters had no money left in their bank accounts at the end of each week. Many also indicated that that their financial situation had deteriorated over the past year.
Food insecurity was widespread. Rising food costs made it increasingly difficult for respondents to feed their families. Many reported coping strategies such as skipping meals, rationing food, or going without food altogether. Some relied on free cooked meals from community kitchens or food vans, while others reported eating spoiled or expired food.
Housing affordability and instability were significant challenges for respondents. Many experienced housing stress, paying a substantial proportion of their income to keep a roof over their heads. Some fell behind on paying the rent, were forced to juggle essential expenses and made difficult trade-offs, including going without food. Many respondents expressed deep concern about the risk of losing their home or becoming homeless.
Prolonged experiences of financial hardship took a significant toll on people’s wellbeing, with people feeling stressed about money every day and losing sleep due to financial concerns. Community members were struggling to stay afloat.