Launch of Homelessness Week
Assistant Minister for Community Housing, Homelessness and Community Services, Luke Howarth, today launched Homelessness Week in Hobart.
Assistant Minister Howarth acknowledged the significance of the week and thanked the thousands of organisations and individuals who work to support around 116,000 people experiencing homelessness on any given night.
Homelessness Week, which runs from 4–11 August, is an annual event coordinated by Homelessness Australia to raise awareness of homelessness in Australia.
“Homelessness Week provides the opportunity to reflect on how we can support Australians experiencing homelessness. It also gives us the chance to acknowledge the people working every day to help,” said Assistant Minister Howarth.
The Australian Government recognises housing and homelessness is an important issue that affects many Australians. Although it is primarily a state and territory responsibility, the Government spends more than $6 billion a year to improve housing and homelessness outcomes for millions of Australians.
The Australian Government is also providing a $30 million grant to boost the supply of social and affordable housing as part of the Hobart City Deal.
“The Hobart City Deal grant will deliver more than 100 new social houses for people on the social housing priority waitlist, vulnerable people on low to moderate incomes who are most in need of housing, and people with disability,” said Assistant Minister Howarth.
As part of Homelessness Week, Minister Howarth will also visit a number of service providers.
“I look forward to meeting with Pathways Tasmania, Anglicare and the Breakfast Club, and thanking them for their service to the community,” said Assistant Minister Howarth. “I look forward to the opportunity to meet with many more organisations over the coming months.”
You can get involved in Homelessness Week by hosting your own event or campaign, attending a local event in your area, or supporting your local housing and homelessness service provider.