Tackling the homelessness crisis
Robert McClelland posted Friday, 3 February 2012
Homelessness is a serious issue for Australia. Short of finding good employment, putting a roof over your head is the most important issue for working families.
As a relatively wealthy and prosperous nation, it seems unfathomable that we have an estimated 105,000 Australians who are experiencing homelessness – and as a Labor Government we need to do more for these Australians, and for those at risk of homelessness.
This Labor Government is working with all levels of government, business, charities and the community to reduce homelessness in Australia through our $1.1 billion National Partnership Agreement on Homelessness.
This week’s Report on Government Services 2012 shows that our investments are making progress in tackling the huge task of putting a roof over the heads of our community’s most vulnerable.
On 5 January this year I announced that 17,000 new homes have already been delivered under our $5.6 billion Social Housing Initiative, well on target to meet our promise of 19,600 homes this year. It’s the single social housing largest investment ever by any Australian Government.
In the last few weeks I’ve been moved and inspired by the dedication of those who work in Specialist Homeless Services, and by the spirit of those who need their assistance.
I helped serve lunch in a men’s crisis centre in Newcastle with local member Sharon Grierson. I spoke to teenaged tenants at the Youth Care youth refuge in Hervey Bay, Queensland, about the second chance such facilities give them. And the Member for Richmond, Justine Elliot, invited me to see first hand how providers in Byron Bay are banding together in a network to refer vulnerable people to the right help at the right time.
Let’s remember to support our dedicated local Specialist Homeless Services whenever we can. The work that they do is essential.
Tags: Homelessness