The Salvation Army's 2015 Economic and Social Impact Survey found circumstances were deteriorating for many, with 56 per cent of respondents reporting their financial situation was worse than last year. Jason Pautowa was raised in public housing and is now a youth councillor with the Salvation Army. Credit:Nick Moir Welfare groups are increasingly filling the gap when people cannot afford basics such as food and clothing, according to Salvation Army spokesman Major Bruce Harmer. "It is almost impossible to live off that amount of money," he said. "Many people who live with disadvantage have now factored in help from organisations like the Salvation Army. They may call on more than one of them weekly or fortnightly because they have no other choice." An estimated 2.5 million Australians live below the poverty line, including 603,000 children.

The survey found that two-thirds of parents were unable to afford children's activities or an internet connection and one-third could not provide fresh fruit and vegetables for their children each day. Dental treatment was out of reach for 68 per cent of respondents and 37 per cent could not afford to see a doctor. Skipping meals and defaulting on utility bills were common. Major Harmer said he was concerned by the prolonged deprivation experienced by people in the survey. "In many ways they are trapped in a prison of poverty," he said. "There are no bars, there are no locks, there are no guards but they certainly can't escape. The longer you spend in that dark place, the harder it is to climb out and get yourself back on that even keel." The report, to be released on Wednesday, will be sent to the federal and state governments, with Major Harmer hoping it will encourage welfare reform.

The Salvation Army hopes to raise $9.5 million from this year's Red Shield Appeal, with the national doorknock on May 30-31. "Australians stand side by side in times of crisis such as a cyclone or a flood," he said. "This report shows us that entrenched poverty is a slow-burning disaster. It's just as bad as a cyclone or a flood but it's there all the time." Professional next door neighbours Jason Poutawa spent his childhood in public housing estates but it was a transfer to Ivanhoe Place in Macquarie Park which helped him to turn his life around.

He was 10 when he, along with his mother and brother, moved to Ivanhoe Place, then beset with domestic violence, drug abuse and other criminal activity. "A lot of people were scared to come out of their houses," he said. His school work suffered as his single mother found it hard to assist him with his homework and the family could not afford an internet connection. It was the police who suggested the Salvation Army embed themselves in the community to address the social issues and in 2001 members of the Ryde Salvation Army Corps Craig and Danni Stephens moved to number 47 Ivanhoe Place with their three children. "They became professional next door neighbours," Mr Poutawa said. "They started a bunch of programs for children in the community. They started a study program to help kids with their homework, they got internet access which we didn't have at home, they put on holiday activities so we had something to do instead of getting into trouble."

With the support of the Stephens, Mr Poutawa, 28, has broken the cycle of disadvantage. He continued his studies and now works as a youth counsellor. "If it wasn't for people like Craig and Danni I would not be the person I am today," he said. "They supported me and believed in me to the point where I could believe in myself."