Media Release by The Hon Julie Collins MP

Importance of working together so more Australians have a safe place to call home

Today’s release of the latest Census data on homelessness underscores the critical importance of all governments working together to address this problem.

Minister for Homelessness, Julie Collins, said too many Australians don’t have a safe place to call home.

“It’s why the Albanese Government is already delivering more housing for Australians who are experiencing or at risk of homelessness,” Minister Collins said.

“We’ve acted immediately by unlocking up to $575 million through the National Housing Infrastructure Facility to invest in social and affordable housing, which is already helping to deliver new homes across the country.

“Today’s figures also highlight the urgent need to pass legislation currently before the Parliament to establish the $10 billion Housing Australia Future Fund.

“This fund is a key part of our plan to help tackle the housing challenges Australia is facing, by ensuring that there is a secure, ongoing pipeline of funding for social and affordable housing.

“Every day we waste not passing this legislation means less housing for those Australians who need it most.”

Fund returns will also help deliver the Albanese Government’s commitments to help address acute housing needs, including:

  • $200 million for the repair, maintenance and improvement of housing in remote Indigenous communities;
  • $100 million for crisis and transitional housing options for women and children impacted by family and domestic violence and older women at risk of homelessness; and
  • $30 million to build housing and fund specialist services for veterans who are experiencing homelessness or at risk of homelessness.

The Albanese Government is developing a new National Housing and Homelessness Plan which will lay the foundations for the next steps for reform.

This 10-year plan will respond to calls from states, territories and the housing and homelessness sector for a long-term plan to address Australia’s housing challenges.

Minister Collins said one of the goals of the National Housing and Homelessness Plan will be to identify ways to improve outcomes for Australians at risk of, or experiencing, homelessness.

“Through a coordinated approach in partnership with state and territory governments, we want to make inroads to ensuring all Australians can more easily access safe, affordable housing,” Minister Collins said.

“It’s why I will keep meeting with my state and territory colleagues through the new Housing and Homelessness Ministerial Council to ensure we are working together to address these issues.

“No tier of government alone can solve the serious housing challenges left to us by almost a decade of inaction by the former Liberal-National Government.”