$117 million to improve youth homelessness services

The Turnbull Government is working to prevent youth homelessness by linking at-risk Australians with essential services.

Minister for Social Services Dan Tehan today announced funding of up to $117 million over five years to 102 Reconnect services.

Reconnect is a youth homelessness prevention program, which provides at-risk youth, and their families, with counselling, mediation and practical support to find accommodation.

Mr Tehan said Reconnect services helped more than 6,000 young people and their families in 2016-17.

“We want to keep young people off the streets and ensure they aren’t living rough,” Mr Tehan said.

“Reconnect stabilises the lives of vulnerable young people by helping them stay connected with their families, communities, and education or employment opportunities.

“The Australian Government’s commitment to long-term funding will enable services to intervene before a crisis occurs.

“The Turnbull Government will also provide an additional $375 million to frontline homelessness services over the three years from 1 July 2018.”

The final two years of funding will be tied to providers achieving measurable improvements in prevention and early intervention services.

The Turnbull Government has made the National Partnership Agreement on Homelessness funding ongoing and indexed through the new $1.5 billion National Housing and Homelessness Agreement.

More information on the Reconnect program is available at www.dss.gov.au