A survey by Volkshilfe und Gesundheit Austria GmbH (GÖG) of more than 100 parents affected by poverty now shows that many of the families live in unhealthy living conditions and, partly because of the cold in their own homes, seek protection in public spaces, for example in shopping centers. “The winter of inflation, as we call it, was particularly dramatic,” explained Andrea Schmidt from GÖG, one of the authors of the study. The inflation rate of the previous year was 8.6 percent, the prices for household energy have risen particularly sharply by 37 percent compared to 2021, reported the head of the GÖG’s Climate and Health Competence Center in a press conference. 58 percent of the parents interviewed in February and March stated that they are restricting their children’s other needs – such as leisure activities, clothing and food – due to rising heating costs.
Damp and mold in the home
103 parents of a total of 202 children under the age of eleven who are cared for in the project “Securing a livelihood for children and young people affected by poverty and at risk of poverty during the pandemic” by Volkshilfe Austria, which covers around 500 households, were surveyed. The study is therefore not representative of the population group. This is difficult to ask because there are sometimes language barriers or those affected do not want to take part, explained co-author Hanna Lichtenberger from the research team “Abolishing child poverty” at Volkshilfe Austria.
The scientific analysis paints a picture of “actually poverty-stricken families” with proven low incomes, explained Ernest Aigner from the GÖG. A quarter or more of respondents reported dampness or mold in the home, with mold having long-term health consequences such as asthma, the researchers pointed out. Around a third of the parents stated that their heating consumes a lot of energy and almost half that the windows in the apartment are leaking.
Children’s room often heated as the only room
Three out of four households dress children in warmer clothing, sometimes also street winter clothing, to protect them from the cold in the living room. Children’s rooms are often heated more than other rooms or as the only room, respondents indicated. “This shows that the welfare of the child really is the focus for parents affected by poverty,” said Aigner. A quarter uses public space to escape the cold at home. We know from poverty research that shopping centers are also a place of refuge for young people affected by poverty, explained Lichtenberger.
In the summer, it is easier for poor people to spend their free time in parks or at public bathing areas, for example, in winter this is possible to a lesser extent, the researcher from Volkshilfe reported. “The general increase in prices is a stressful situation for 90 percent,” reported GÖG expert Aigner from the survey. The co-author of the study emphasized that three out of ten are mentally stressed by the fact that they “cannot protect their children from the cold”.
The survey shows that there is a need for public and free spaces and indoor playgrounds to warm up, Lichtenberger said. Afternoon care is also needed “that is affordable for everyone”, parents would deregister their children from it in order to save costs. “There are also families who sign the children off from lunch,” said the Volkshilfe expert. Your organization also calls for basic child security, as is already planned in Germany, so that affected families have income-related financial support in addition to child benefit, emphasized Lichtenberger.
