Nominations open for the National Homelessness Services Achievement Awards

Australians are encouraged to nominate outstanding organisations committed to addressing homelessness in the first-ever National Homelessness Services Achievement Awards.

Nominations open today in seven categories, which celebrate excellence, quality, innovation and achievement by homelessness service providers.

Minister for Social Housing and Homelessness Mark Arbib said the Awards would recognise the outstanding contributions of organisations around the country that provide assistance to people who are homeless or at risk of homelessness.

“Too often their hard work goes unrecognised and they deserve our sincere gratitude for their dedication,” Senator Arbib said.

“The awards aim to encourage a greater understanding of the range of responsive and effective services addressing and preventing homelessness.

“They will also highlight the innovative approaches required from community organisations, businesses and the Government working together to reduce homelessness.”

Senator Arbib said the Australian Government was committed to an ambitious, long-term plan to halve the rate of homelessness and offer supported accommodation to all those who seek it by 2020.

“We have invested $5 billion in additional funding in homelessness since 2008 and we are continuing to forge strong partnerships with the community sector, states and territories, and the private sector,” Senator Arbib said.

“Through our investments, thousands of new houses have been built for those who are homeless or at risk of homelessness and more than 180 new or expanded services have been rolled out across the country.”

Nominations for the Awards close on Friday 25 November, with winners to be announced at an awards ceremony in February 2012 at the Great Hall, Parliament House, in Canberra.

The Award categories are:

• Excellence or innovation in addressing homelessness by an organisation;
• Excellence in the prevention of, or early intervention in, homelessness;
• Outstanding business or philanthropic commitment to addressing homelessness;
• Excellence or innovation in partnerships in delivering services;
• Closing the gap: Excellence in addressing Indigenous homelessness;
• Excellence in supporting pathways to employment or education; and
• Excellence in addressing homelessness in a regional, rural or remote location.

To nominate an organisation in the National Homelessness Services Achievement Awards visit: www.fahcsia.gov.au