THE ACT government is extending its partnership with homelessness service providers as part of its new outcomes-focused plan to end homelessness in the country’s capital.
The Strategic Investment Plan for the Homelessness Sector aims to begin a new era for designing and funding homelessness services in the ACT, with an emphasis on “co-design, trust and respect”.
“This plan places trust back into the sector and community to tell us what needs to happen to make homelessness in Canberra rare, brief and non-recurring. It builds on our learnings and successes that came out of responding to the COVID-19 pandemic,” said Rebecca Vassarotti, minister for homelessness.
The government has extended its contracts with current homelessness service providers to 30 June 2023.
And will also work with the homelessness sector, and other key stakeholders on a strategic partnership process to plan for future contract arrangements post the close of these contracts in 2023.
The partnership should enhance flexibility, adaptability, and certainty in the service system, so new methods of delivery can be designed, trialled and adapted to best suit the needs of Canberrans experiencing or at risk of homelessness.
The new plan follows 19 workshops, five deep dive discussions, and numerous conversations with service users, as part of the its promise to ensure sector partners and people with lived experience are at the centre of the planning, design and delivery of services.
“The process to date has provided key insights around the whole system design as well as how to best deliver central planks such as the central intake service. However, it is also clear that there is more co-design work to be done,” added Vassarotti.
The plan has also been adapted in response to the emerging needs and growing demand brought on by bushfires, the global pandemic and a rise in domestic violence awareness.
As well as explicitly addressing the current gaps in service delivery that has left 1,500 to 2,000 people in Canberra seeking homelessness support services each month.
“Reducing homelessness is more than about putting a roof over someone’s head. This investment plan will provide the opportunity to work closely with the sector and develop solutions that support the most vulnerable in our community to transition into stable, permanent accommodation,” said Yvette Berry, minister for housing and suburban development.
The government will also invest a further $18 million over four years to expand the capacity of specialist homelessness services, under the Parliamentary and Governing Agreement
“Homelessness can be solved. It will take time, but through genuine commitment and co-design with those on the frontline of support and those who have lived experience, we will fund initiatives that will truly address the complexity of homelessness,” concluded Vassarotti.
