Media Release by The Hon John Cobb MP

Projects to support Northern Territory homeless

Joint Media Release with:

  • Dr Chris Burns MLA, Acting Minister for Family and Community Services

People in the Northern Territory who are homeless or in need of support services will be further assisted through three new projects, with funding from the Australian and Northern Territory Governments.

Federal Minister for Community Services, John Cobb, and Acting Northern Territory Minister for Family and Community Services, Dr Chris Burns, today announced the projects under the Supported Accommodation Assistance Program (SAAP) Innovation and Investment Fund.

‘The Australian Government will contribute over $1.5 million in funding over five years to the Innovation and Investment Fund to find new ways to improve existing services for people who are homeless, or at risk of homelessness in the Northern Territory,’ Mr Cobb said.

‘As part of the SAAP V Agreement, the Australian Government will also commit more than $26 million in funding, with the Northern Territory Government contributing almost $22 million, to deliver much needed SAAP services to the community.’

Dr Chris Burns said the projects would address the factors contributing to homelessness including family violence intervention services and stabilising tenancies for disadvantaged Territorians.

‘An example is the Family Violence Intervention project in Borroloola, which will receive $200 000 in funding over two years to help break the cycle of family violence by working with perpetrators and potential perpetrators to better manage their relationships and behaviour,’ Dr Chris Burns said.

‘Tenancy Support Service for Alice Springs is another project to receive $100,000 in funding over two years to provide early intervention to support at-risk tenancies as well as providing support to people without rental references and those on the priority list.

‘The Therapeutic Interventions for Children in the Darwin region has been allocated $200 000 in funding over two years to help children who have been traumatised by family violence or homelessness. The long term aim of this project is to break the cycle of intergenerational family violence and homelessness.’

‘These projects will go a long way to address homelessness in the community, with new and innovative ways to help individuals and families at risk,’ Mr Cobb said.

The Innovation and Investment Fund is part of the $1.82 billion SAAP V Agreement between the Australian Government and states and territories. The Australian Government has committed $932 million over five years to SAAP V.