3 September 2012
Currently more than 50 projects across NSW are funded or part-funded under the COAG National Partnership Agreement on Homelessness (NPAH) and the NSW Homelessness Action Plan.
3 September 2012
The future of projects funded under the National Partnership
Agreement on Homelessness (NPAH) was discussed at the meeting of the
COAG Select Council on Housing and Homelessness on 31 August. No
resolution was achieved. The communiqué merely notes:
The NPAH has seen jurisdictions implement over 180 new or expanded
initiatives in order to reduce homelessness. With the NPAH currently
scheduled to end in June 2013, Ministers noted the importance of
developing the evidence base that will be critical to inform future
policies to address homelessness. Ministers noted the importance of
ongoing investment in this area.
About
While the Homelessness Action Plan covers the period 2009-14, funding
under the Homelessness NP is due to cease at the end of June 2013. To
date neither the Commonwealth nor NSW Governments have committed to a
further funding package from July 2013. It is estimated that annual
funding of more than $35 million being provided to NSW projects under
the NPAH.
The NSW Homelessness Community Alliance, which brings together
key peak bodies and specialist services, is concerned at the potential
loss of these projects which are working to:
- Provide support for people at risk of eviction;
-
Provide support for people exiting institutions, such as prisons,
juvenile detention centres, health facilities and out of home care;
- Develop new or expanded models linking support with access to long term housing;
-
Long-term accommodation and support for women and children experiencing domestic and family violence; and
- Deliver street to home assistance to people living on the streets.
Many of these projects are located in regional areas where
affordable housing and adequate support services are in short supply.
To
coincide with Homeless Persons Week (6-12 August), the Alliance is
encouraging NGOs funded to deliver HAP projects to approach their local
federal and state members of parliament seeking their assistance in
clarifying their future – see services suggested letter. Peak
organisations and supportive advocacy groups are asked to write to the
relevant Commonwealth and NSW Ministers – see peaks suggested letter.
This campaign is not directed at services funded under the
Specialist Homelessness Services program, given the separate
consultation process that is underway on the NSW Government's reform
agenda Going Home Staying Home.
Resources
Information
- Warren Gardiner, NCOSS Senior Policy Officer
ph: 02 9211 2599 ext 112
email:
This e-mail address is being protected from spam bots, you need JavaScript enabled to view it
|