Foreword
I am pleased to present the first annual report of the Prime Minister’s Council on Homelessness. Since the release of the White Paper in December 2008, we have seen governments commit to goals far more ambitious than anything seen in comparable countries—to halve homelessness by 2020 and offer supported accommodation to all rough sleepers who seek it.
Backed by a comprehensive strategy and unprecedented levels of investment to build new homes and create and expand services, this is the most substantial commitment our nation has yet made to tackling homelessness.
Reducing homelessness takes time. This is why the White Paper on homelessness contains a long-term strategy, whose success relies on the ongoing commitment of governments, businesses, communities and the not-for-profit sector. Progress has been made over the past year. It is pleasing to see the White Paper Strategy generating a much stronger focus on prevention and early intervention, and on the economic and social participation of those experiencing homelessness. The groundwork has been laid that will yield reductions in homelessness over future years
However, reducing homelessness has many challenges. The Council has been proactive in examining difficult policy and service delivery issues that have an impact on those who are vulnerable to homelessness, and those who are already experiencing it. We are pleased with the innovation occurring in service responses and are keen to see new approaches, such as integration of mainstream and specialist homelessness services, that recognises the often complex needs of clients.
The diversity of its membership has allowed the Council to provide independent and strategic advice critical to the early years of implementing the White Paper strategy. I would like to thank all Council members for their dedication to the task over the past year.
We acknowledge the Australian Government’s ongoing commitment to this important agenda and look forward to continuing to work with it in the second year of the Council’s term.
Tony Nicholson
Chair, Prime Minister’s Council on Homelessness