Foreword
After 17 years of continuous economic growth it is simply unacceptable that, each night, 100,000 Australians are homeless.
Half are under 24 years-old, and 10,000 are children. Human dignity begins the day you can call a place home. That’s why homelessness is now a very important part of the Australian Government’s social inclusion agenda.
In January we announced that we would develop a new approach to reduce homelessness over the next decade. This Green Paper is the first step.
The causes of homelessness are complex; the effects of homelessness are debilitating and the costs of homelessness to individuals, families and the community are huge.
Homeless Australians lose opportunities to be part of their families, their community and the economy. They miss out on things the rest of us take for granted—a good education, decent health care and a secure place to call home.
Our response to homelessness needs to be improved. The truth is that we are not having enough impact on the lives of homeless Australians.
To make our new approach work we need national commitment and strong leadership. Reducing homelessness must be a shared responsibility. We need to work harder to prevent homelessness and this means intervening earlier.
Government, community, business and the homeless all have a role to play.
It means improving the crisis and emergency response and working this in better with mainstream health, education, justice and employment services. Only this will stop the cycle of homelessness.
This is a once in a generation opportunity.
Our new approach to homelessness will look beyond providing a bed and a hot meal. It will offer homeless Australians new opportunities to be part of their community. These will be the same opportunities as other Australians—to get training, to find work, to get health care and build social networks.
This Green Paper aims to promote discussion.
It also puts forward principles, targets and concrete options for reform.
Now we want to know what you think, because the Government doesn’t have all the answers.
So read the Green Paper and send in your response. Or come along to one of the public consultations we are holding around the country.
We look forward to your active participation.
We owe it to 100,000 Australians—as well our future generations—to get this right.
The Hon Kevin Rudd MP |
The Hon Tanya Plibersek MP |