The Albanese Government will deliver a $67.5 million boost to homelessness funding to states and territories over the next year, to help address the serious challenges revealed in the latest Census data.
The Government understands the importance of our country's homelessness services to addressing these challenges, which is why we are supporting them with this new funding.
This funding will assist homelessness services through the National Housing and Homelessness Agreement in 2023-24 as the Albanese Government develops a new National Housing and Homelessness Plan to begin in 2024-25.
The Plan will be the first of its kind in the nation's history and is being developed in association with states and territories, industry bodies and not-for-profit organisations.
It will set out a 10-year strategy to inform future housing and homelessness policy in Australia and ensure everyone is working together so more Australians have a safe and affordable place to call home.
The Plan builds on the Albanese Government's existing significant commitments to address homelessness and Australia's housing challenges.
Earlier this week the Government announced it would invest $91.7 million to help combat youth homelessness through the Reconnect program over the next three years.
Legislation currently before the Parliament will establish the $10 billion Housing Australia Future Fund, which will create a secure, ongoing pipeline of funding for social and affordable housing.
In its first five years, returns from the fund will help deliver 30,000 new social and affordable homes, including 4,000 homes for women and children impacted by family and domestic violence or older women at risk of homelessness.
Fund returns will also help deliver the Albanese Government's commitments to help address acute housing needs, 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.
Quotes attributed to Minister for Housing and Minister for Homelessness, Julie Collins MP:
"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.
This Plan will be the first of its kind in our nation's history and deliver lasting change for Australians facing housing challenges.
I will continue working with the states and territories as we bring together all levels of government to address Australia's housing challenges."
