[Greens-Media] Breaking the homeless cycle must be the goal

[Burmester, Tom]

December 22nd, 2008

Breaking the homeless cycle must be the goal
 
ACT Greens Housing Spokesperson, Amanda Bresnan MLA has called for a one
stop shop approach for people at risk of homelessness and more public
and community housing.

"The $1.2 billion in the Federal Government's homelessness package
announced this week is very welcome, but it is focussed too much at the
crisis end," Ms Bresnan said today.

"We need a one stop shop, integrating mental health, drug and alcohol,
employment, legal and other services.  Basically, those necessary
services that can help people at risk of homelessness to remain in their
homes.

"Mental illness is a factor in as much as 75% of homelessness cases in
Australia, but it's not clear that there is an appropriate recognition
of that in this package.

"The other ingredient for longer term housing solutions, is an increase
our stock of social, including public, housing.

"But, while some of the Commonwealth money is to increase the supply
social housing, we don't know if any of that will result in additional
funding for the ACT.

"The ALP Greens agreement includes a goal of 10% public housing in the
ACT. We would like to see some of this Commonwealth investment used to
help us reach that goal.

"But we don't yet know what this really means for the ACT. National
initiatives sometimes deliver a lot less in practice than at first
appears.  And we understand a new funding formula will be introduced
next year, which could result in less rather than more money coming to
the ACT in any event.

"It's fantastic to see this kind of commitment and focus from the
Federal Government but details that are still missing," Ms Bresnan said.

Media Contact: Tom Burmester on 0423 657 561 
  
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