Coalition Government to renew homelessness funding

The Australian Government will provide $115 million to ensure critical homelessness services continue to support some of Australia’s most vulnerable people.

Minister for Social Services Kevin Andrews today said the funding would reinstate the National Partnership Agreement on Homelessness funding for another year, providing much needed certainty for homelessness services.

“On any given night, more than 105,000 Australians are homeless, so it’s important for the Government to provide assurance to the services supporting these people,” Mr Andrews said.

“The National Agreement currently funds over 180 initiatives across Australia that helps those who are homeless or at risk of homelessness.

“These dedicated people provide critical support to help vulnerable Australians get their lives back together, as well as find affordable and sustainable housing.

“The previous Labor Government did not make any provision for future homelessness funding in the forward estimates, and did not commit to a National Agreement after the current Agreement expires on 30 June 2014.

“In 2010 Kevin Rudd promised to halve the number of Australians living without a home, however according to the Australian Bureau of Statistics, homeless numbers grew from 90,000 in 2006 to 105,237 in 2013.

“This $115 million investment gives peace of mind as it maintains the current level of service delivery funding.

“It gives hundreds of homelessness services the assurance they need to stay open, keep their staff and continue to support Australia’s most vulnerable people.

“We will work with the state and territory governments and talk to service providers in their jurisdictions on future funding arrangements.”