Wyndham council has been given a 324-signature petition asking it to restore funding to a service that offers support to residents in financial crisis.
The team at Werribee Support and Housing (WSH) presented the petition to last week’s council meeting, asking that money for the Wyndham Wellness Program be included in the annual budget.
Funding was cut last December because of a change in the council’s grants scheme.
The program offered immediate support for residents threatened with eviction, suspension of utilities or in need of interest-free loans for car maintenance.
Responding to a question by WSH deputy chief executive Sue Moger about whether the council could review the decision, the council’s acting director of community development, Jenny McMahon, said a detailed report would be presented to council at next month’s meeting.
Caroline Syme asked from the public gallery what would happen to people unable to provide for their family now funding had ceased.
Ms McMahon responded by listing a range of services that offered crisis support.
“I would hope they’re in a position to pick up some services that are not able to be provided through Werribee Support and Housing,” she said.
