Media Releases

Street Law: 1-in-3 surveyed have hidden legal issues amid cost-of-living crisis

Early help can turn crises into stability

With cost-of-living pressures and housing insecurity trending across Melbourne’s south-east, Peninsula Community Legal Centre’s (PCLC) Street Law Coffee Van has reached out to people who would never walk into a legal office – and the results are stark.

A new impact report from their mobile legal service shows [1] 36% of clients who completed a legal health check have hidden legal problems. Often linked to housing insecurity and cost of living stress.

The findings show that, without early help, eviction and financial ruin loom for thousands. But that with early intervention by the Street Law team, local community members saved a combined $200K in waived fines, loans and debts.

Jackie Galloway OAM, CEO of PCLC said: “This data confirms what we have long suspected; many people have problems which they don’t even realise are legal issues.

“And even for those who do know they need a lawyer -the legal system can just be too intimidating. Any action is put off.

“Yet through a patient conversation over coffee, everyday issues can turn out to have legal solutions. That delicate balance of humanity and cutting-edge expertise is what our Street Law program has delivered to our neighbours doing it toughest out there.”

The numbers in brief

PCLC’s Street Law Program Impact Snapshot – captured by SVA Consulting in the 18-month timeframe between Feb 2024 to Aug 2025, showed that Street Law made:

• 136 visits across Melbourne’s south-east
• across 46 trusted community locations,
• recording 8,345 attendances, 3,799 legal health checks and 1,370 legal issues
• many of which were resolved on the spot, with 80% of clients receiving an immediate outcome, preventing escalation into eviction, debt, or court involvement.

Beyond the numbers, the program delivered real outcomes for real people.

Emergency service debt waived: An elderly pensioner planned to use his Centrelink savings to pay a $1,400 emergency service debt. Street Law confirmed his pension exemption; the invoice was waived and his account was updated so this would not happen again.

Housing support provided: A woman facing imminent eviction received housing support through a single Street Law consultation.

Fines withdrawn: A father experiencing housing instability had 40 road and toll fines (worth over $15,000). Street Law helped have them withdrawn entirely and supported prevention of recurring debt.

Reflecting on the human impact, Ms Galloway added, “In all the examples shown, one simple conversation led to a lot of positive change. The Street Law van, for many people, is less intimidating and more effective than a legal office.

“And it’s fair to say that if it weren’t out there, those suffering on the margins would likely never receive the help they need.

“That’s why we strongly encourage anyone who might identify with these stories to contact us for an appointment for free advice and support”.

[Ends]

Media Contact:

Kirsten Young | kyoung@pclc.org.au| 9783 3600

About:

Street Law Coffee Van (Street Law) is a proactive outreach program, operated by Peninsula Community Legal Centre, that provides direct legal support to vulnerable and isolated communities across Melbourne’s south-east.

Peninsula Community Legal Centre (PCLC) helps people in Melbourne’s south-east to understand and use the law to protect their rights. Our team gives top tier, free advice on most legal issues: like family law, family violence, fines, tenancy problems, and rooming house advocacy.

One of the largest, longest-standing community legal centres in Australia, we’ve been a proud, local and independent not-for-profit since 1977.

[1] n =3,799