Foreword
In a country as prosperous as Australia, no one should be homeless.
Homelessness is not just the result of too few houses – its causes are many and varied. Domestic violence, a shortage of affordable housing, unemployment, mental illness, family breakdown and drug and alcohol abuse all contribute to the level of homelessness in Australia.
This White Paper sets an ambitious target to halve homelessness by 2020 and offer supported accommodation to all rough sleepers who need it. To make sure the Government remains on track to meet these important goals, this White Paper sets out interim targets for 2013.
Reducing homelessness is everyone’s responsibility. Australia's efforts to reduce homelessness have to be urgent, as well as sustained.
This White Paper delivers a 55 per cent increase on the current investment in homelessness. This represents an additional $800 million over four years and is a down payment on the 12 year reform agenda. It also includes a commitment to additional social housing for homeless people of $400 million over the next two financial years.
This White Paper addresses the causes of homelessness and provides a framework for preventing homelessness from occurring in the first place. Among other strategies it increases support for victims of domestic violence to stay safely in their own home; increases public and community housing for people at risk of homelessness; improves tenancy advice and support services; and introduces a policy of ’no exits into homelessness’ from hospitals, mental health and drug and alcohol services and statutory care. These measures will help prevent more Australians from becoming homeless each year.
When – despite our best efforts – people become homeless, this White Paper sets out ways to strengthen the provision of services for these Australians. It will help services to provide people who become homeless with the full range of support that they need – rather than leaving individuals to try and navigate a complex system looking for help. Assertive outreach services will work with homeless people bringing people off the streets into the housing they need to end their homelessness permanently.
The National Affordable Housing Agreement will deliver more longer-term housing for Australians who are homeless; more public and community housing, and build and renew run down and overcrowded housing for Indigenous Australians living in remote areas.
This White Paper is a once in a generation opportunity to drastically reduce homelessness in Australia. By taking action now, the Government is confident that we can reduce homelessness by 2020.
The Hon Kevin Rudd MP
Prime Minister
The Hon Tanya Plibersek MP
Minister for Housing
© Commonwealth of Australia 2008
ISBN 978 1 921380 22 8
This work is copyright. Apart from any use as permitted under the Copyright Act 1968, no part may be reproduced by any process without prior written permission from the Commonwealth available from the Commonwealth Copyright Administration, Attorney-General’s Department. Requests and inquiries concerning reproduction and rights should be addressed to the Commonwealth Copyright Administration, Attorney-General’s, Robert Garran Offices, National Circuit, Canberra ACT 2600 or posted at http://www.ag.gov.au/cca
Any inquiries about or comments on this publication should be directed to:
Homelessness Taskforce
Department of Families, Housing, Community Services and Indigenous Affairs
PO Box 7576
Canberra Business Centre, ACT, 2610
Internet: www.fahcsia.gov.au