***Homelessness NSW CEO Dominique Rowe will hold a presser at 1.30pm at the back of parliament on Hospital Road***
The NSW government’s housing and homelessness package is a step in the right direction, but more is needed to meet soaring demand for help.
Homelessness NSW CEO Dominique Rowe said $5.1 billion over four years to build 6,200 new social houses and rebuild 2,200 homes would start to undo decades of neglect. Another $1 billion to repair 3,350 dwellings would also help lift housing standards.
“The long overdue investment in social housing, including priority access for domestic violence victim-survivors is essential to turn around this once-in-a-generation crisis,” she said.
“The NSW government needs to double the amount of social homes to one in 10 homes if it is serious about tackling the waitlist of more than 58,000 families, many of whom are in the queue for a decade or more.”
Specialist homelessness services will share in $250 million over four years to support people at risk of homelessness, including those leaving correctional centres and mental health services.
Another $260 million will fund crisis accommodation and support services for people who are homeless, including women and children forced to choose between violent homes and sleeping rough.
“This $527 million investment in critical homelessness services is welcome, but must not represent our best efforts to tackle this once-in-a-generation crisis,” Ms Rowe said.
“While it remains below what’s needed to meet soaring costs and community demand, today’s announcement is a step in the right direction. Homelessness NSW looks forward to working with the government to ensure the money goes where it is needed most.
“Spending on crisis measures such as temporary accommodation are vital, but remain a band aid fix without substantial investment in preventing homelessness and long-term housing. The government’s plan to transform the temporary accommodation is a welcome move.”
“Without additional funding beyond 2025 for Together Home, which helps rough sleepers access long-term housing, hundreds of vulnerable people will be left without support.
Homelessness NSW’s key budget recommendations included:
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$1 billion a year for the next 10 years to build 5,000 social houses annually;
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A 20% funding boost for specialist homelessness services, or $64 million a year for two years;
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Funding for homelessness provider contracts to be indexed at 6.2% to keep pace with
the cost of service delivery;
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$30 million over three years to secure additional temporary accommodation, including 20% reserved for women and children experiencing domestic violence;
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$62 million over three years to extend the state’s Together Home program.
Contact details:
Charlie Moore: 0452 606 171