DESPERATE pleas for the Federal Government to address a lack of funding for homelessness services are rising with 230 organisations calling for action.
The Federal Government is currently preparing to cut $65 million of funding from homelessness programs – a move that would be detrimental to helping people without a home, as well as workers within homelessness services.
Without, over 650 homelessness support workers are set to lose their jobs with homelessness assistance set to soar as a result.
After committing $560 million to Commonwealth funded community services to meet the equal remuneration order (ERO), funds may be cut as the National Housing and Homelessness Agreement begins a 12-month rollover period. The NHHA will be rolled over for 12 months in order to be aligned with the National Housing and Homelessness Plan.
The ERO has been funded since 2012 to cover wage costs within homelessness services, although this current funding expires in June 2023.
230 organisations across the country have signed a joint letter from Homelessness Australia, the Community Housing Industry Association and ACOSS. The letter was directed to Treasurer Jim Chalmers and minister for housing and homelessness Julie Collins.
“The new agreement will be an opportunity to better match housing and homelessness investment to the scale of need. But over the 12 month extension, it is critical that funding levels are maintained, and not cut, as a minimum,” the letter pleaded.
CEO of Homelessness Australia Kate Colvin says any cuts to staff will do a great deal of damage with services already having to turn people away.
“Demand for homelessness services is surging,” she says.
“Families with full time breadwinners can’t find a rental and are living in tents. Homelessness services are turning away women and children fleeing violence who desperately need help because they simply don’t have enough workers to respond.”
The letter urged the government to continue its support to reduce homelessness.
“In order to respond to people in crisis and ultimately to reduce homelessness, the undersigned organisations urge the Federal Government to recommit to federal funding of ERO supplementation over the forward estimates to at least maintain homelessness service capacity at its current level.”
Demand for Homelessness has risen as a result of high interest rates, increasing rent prices, lack of housing affordability, inflation and low vacancy rates.
UNSW lists social housing and housing affordability as key initiatives that should be on the agenda of the NSW election.
Social housing has minimally grown in the state while Victoria and Queensland have led strong boosts to their social housing programs in their post-pandemic response.
NSW has grappled with the largest brunt of a difficult housing market, with UNSW calling for private residential developers to contribute to affordable housing.
The Real Institute of Australia’s housing affordability report for the December quarter 2022 also showed the current state of affairs for mortgage holders. The report found that housing affordability decreased across the nation during the quarter with interest rates playing a starring role in that.
REIA president Hayden Groves said the proportion of income required to meet the average loan repayment increased to 44.7%.
A popular Victorian homelessness service is also under the guillotine with the From Homelessness to a Home (H2H) program in jeopardy for the upcoming State Budget.
Council to Homeless Persons’ State Budget submission urged the Victorian Government to invest $47.5 million to prevent the homelessness program from being cut apart.
The successful program has a strong reputation, supporting around 2000 households. A further $224.4 million over the next four years would enable it to continue its current rate of supporting households. This investment would allow it to reach an extra 400 households.
Funding isn’t guaranteed beyond June with Chief Executive Jenny Smith anxious for it to continue.
“It’s absolutely crucial that this program continues. The results of H2H are truly remarkable,” Smith said.
“Given the results, we need a relatively modest investment of just $47.5 million to continue H2H’s work next year, and $224.4 million over four years to continue and extend its fabulous outcomes.”
“This cutting-edge program delivers so much more than just a roof over people’s heads. H2H gives people the wraparound support they need to stay housed.”
