Join ACOSS Support ACOSS in developing sound policy and undertake effective advocacy on the needs of people affected by poverty, disadvantage and inequality, and to build a strong and sustainable community sector. What's On Australia's housing and homelessness services are stretched and unable to meet growing demand for services, but are closely followed by community legal services which are facing chronic underfunding, longer waiting lists, and turning away greater numbers of people, according to the ACOSS Australian Community Sector Survey 2012 released today. The survey, completed by 665 agencies from around the country, provides the most comprehensive picture of how the non-government community services and welfare sector is travelling. This year the report reveals the extent of the crisis engulfing the nation's community legal services. "About 73% of legal services around the country reported not being about to meet demand for services, surpassed only by the problems we know are facing housing and homeless services," said ACOSS CEO Dr Cassandra Goldie. "There is no doubt that housing and homelessness services remain the area of highest need in our community, with 81% reporting they simply cannot meet demand. Despite this there is some good news with a drop in the number of services actually turning people away. "This is evidence that investment in areas such as the social housing initiative have made a positive impact on services. But there are far too many people being turned away - a total of 20,496 over the year or 56 people each day. Nearly