THE federal government is set to deliver a $67.5 million boost to homelessness funding over the next year, in an attempt to tackle the country’s increasing housing problems.
The funding will be delivered to states and territories, through the National using and Homelessness Agreement in 2023-24, while the federal government develops a new National Housing and Homelessness Plan for 2024-2025.
“Too many Australians were experiencing homelessness on Census night. This is why the Albanese Government is delivering a $67.5 million boost to support homelessness services as we develop a new National Housing and Homelessness Plan,” said Julie Collins, minister for housing and homelessness.
The new plan will set out a decade long strategy to inform housing and homelessness policy and is being developed in collaboration with states and territories, industry bodies and not-for-profits.
“This Plan will be the first of its kind in our nation’s history and deliver lasting change for Australians facing housing challenges,” added Collins.
“I will continue working with the states and territories as we bring together all levels of government to address Australia’s housing challenges.”
The announcement comes days after the government said it would invest $91.7 million into addressing youth homelessness through the Reconnect program over the next three years.
Legislation to establish the $10 billion Housing Australia Future Fund is currently before Parliament and if successful should develop an ongoing pipeline of funding for social and affordable housing.
Returns from the fund will see 30,000 new social and affordable homes delivered over its first five years.
With these homes including residences for women and children impacted by family and domestic violence or older women at risk of homelessness.
With the fund also helping to deliver on the Albanese government’s housing commitments 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.
Recent data revealed that the country’s housing crisis is only growing, with more than 640,000 Australians under house stress or facing homelessness, with this figure set to reach nearly one million by 2041.
