Second National Homelessness Achievement Awards

Minister for Housing and Homelessness Mark Butler today announced the second National Homelessness Achievement Awards designed to recognise and promote the tireless efforts of community organisations for their work in preventing and tackling homelessness.

Mr Butler said the Awards had attracted almost 150 high-calibre nominations from a diverse range of agencies and programs from across Australia with award recipients to be announced at a lunch time event on Wednesday 1 May in Melbourne’s Town Hall.

“We’ve had an overwhelmingly positive response to the call for nominations for this year’s awards, and with so many first-rate nominations, selecting just one recipient in each category will be a real challenge,” Mr Butler said.

“The inaugural awards last year showcased some amazing and innovative programs helping people who are homeless or at risk of homelessness get their lives back on track and it is wonderful to see this level of quality matched in this year’s nominations.”

“I was particularly pleased to see some great examples of innovative programs making a real difference to the lives of young people, Indigenous Australians, people escaping domestic violence and older Australians, among others.”

“Thanks to their commitment and the diverse services they provide, thousands of Australians have someone to turn to when they most need it.”

Mr Butler said the National Homelessness Achievement Awards recognise the tireless efforts of community organisations for their work in preventing and tackling homelessness.

“While the last Census showed a 13% drop in the number of people sleeping rough, far too many Australians still do not have a place to call home every night,” Mr Butler said.

“This Government has made tackling homelessness a national priority, and is committed to halving the rate of homelessness by 2020.”

“This year’s awards will shine a light on the tremendous work these compassionate and dedicated service providers do for some of our community’s most vulnerable people.”

“I thank all those Australians who have nominated a homelessness service they feel is helping break the cycle of homelessness.”

For more information go to www.fahcsia.gov.au/homelessnessawards