National housing and homelessness advocates have strongly endorsed the Albanese Government's announcement of $100 million in funding to build hundreds of new crisis and transitional homes across Australia.
The funding will support 42 projects through the Crisis and Transitional Accommodation Program (CTAP), delivering critical shelter for women and children escaping family and domestic violence, and older women at risk of homelessness.
Wendy Hayhurst, CEO of CHIA, said: "This vital investment in crisis accommodation complements the broader expansion of community housing we're seeing across Australia. Coming on the same day as the announcement of 800 new social and affordable homes, we're seeing the government starting to deliver on multiple fronts. Community housing providers are ready to leverage these investments, creating pathways from crisis accommodation into permanent, stable housing - which is ultimately what people need to rebuild their lives."
Kate Colvin, CEO of Homelessness Australia, highlighted the urgent need for this investment: "Every night across Australia, specialist homelessness services are forced to turn away women, children and young people fleeing violence because they don't have enough accommodation. Each turnaway represents a family facing impossible choices about their safety. Every one of these new crisis and transitional homes will make a life changing difference to women and children in need of a safe haven. With greater investment, we can make even more progress."
Karen Walsh, CEO of National Shelter, said this is welcome news in the suite of housing policies and investments, especially the focus on specific vulnerable groups: "The inclusion of targeted support for culturally and linguistically diverse women, First Nations women, and older women is critical. This investment and accommodation will provide critical infrastructure, but they must be part of a broader strategy to address Australia's housing crisis and prevent homelessness before it occurs."
The three national peaks emphasised that crisis and transitional housing is essential to complement a sustained pipeline of new social and affordable housing essential to fixing the underlying problem of Australia's housing crisis.
