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A project addressing entrenched disadvantage in WA in which The University of Western Australia is taking the lead research role has received $1.75 million in funding from Lotterywest.

The Lotterywest grant for the 100 families project to the WA Council of Social Service (WACOSS) was announced by the Honourable Mark McGowan MLA Premier of Western Australia at the WA Council of Social Service 2018 Conference.

As part of the project the lives and experiences of 100 families will be followed over time to examine the causes of entrenched disadvantage, its impact and the factors that positively contribute to exit from deep entrenched poverty.

UWA will work on the project in collaboration with Anglicare WA, Ruah Community Services, Wanslea, Jacaranda, Centrecare, UnitingCare West, St. Vincent de Paul, and WACOSS to complete the research.

Professor Colleen Fisher, Head of UWA Population and Global Health said living with entrenched disadvantage had severe negative social and health outcomes for individuals and families.

“We need to understand more comprehensively what stops people moving out of poverty,” Professor Fisher said.

Professor Paul Flatau from the UWA Centre for Social Impact said the researchers would compile qualitative and quantitative data collected over at least three years to understand and build an evidence base of the lived experiences of families who live in entrenched disadvantage.

“The research has the primary end goal of making a difference to the lives of WA families by supporting them to break free of entrenched disadvantage,” Professor Flatau said.

The research team will be comprised of researchers from the Centre for Social Impact UWA and the UWA Social Policy Practice and Research Consortium

Media references

Jess Reid (UWA Media and PR Advisor) (+61 8) 6488 6876