Inability to cool homes in summer heat making almost 90% of Centrelink recipients ill, survey finds

‘Too many people are living in housing that is poorly insulated and far too hot in summer,’ Acoss chief Cassandra Goldie says. Photograph: SunnyVMD/Getty Images/iStockphoto/Posed by a model

Nearly 90% of people on income support payments say the inability to cool their homes in hot weather is making them sick, and even those who have air conditioning avoid using it because it is too expensive, a survey by Australian Council of Social Service has found.

Acoss polled 208 recipients of Centrelink payments in January about their experience of high heat at home, their ability to cool their homes, how the heat affected their physical and mental health, and the costs of their energy bills.