The Albanese Government is progressing two significant policies to support more Australians in severe housing distress, with a strong focus on women and children leaving family and domestic violence and young people at risk of homelessness
This week, Housing Australia is launching a $1 billion program to provide more crisis and transitional accommodation for women and children fleeing family and domestic violence and for young people, bringing our investment in this space to 20 times more than the previous government.
Labor will also invest $6.2 million in grants to support leading homelessness peak bodies to strengthen their advocacy, help coordinate the sector and support them to provide valuable policy advice to government on addressing housing insecurity and homelessness.
And we know that much more needs to be done when it comes to supporting women and children fleeing family and domestic violence and young Australians at risk of homelessness.
The biggest reason women and children don't leave situations of family and domestic violence is because they don't have safe and secure housing to go to. It's a reality that simply isn't good enough for a country like Australia.
NHIF Crisis and Transitional Housing program
Housing Australia is this week launching the $1 billion National Housing Infrastructure Facility (NHIF) Crisis and Transitional Housing program for Australians experiencing or at risk of homelessness.
This is a commitment made by the Prime Minister at National Cabinet to target $1 billion in funding towards crisis and transitional accommodation for women and children fleeing family and domestic violence and for young people.
This lifts the Albanese Government's investment in crisis and transitional accommodation to $1.2 billion since the last election - 20 times more than the Coalition invested in a decade.
The funding is designed to allow successful applicants to access funds for the construction of new crisis and transitional housing, or the acquisition and conversion of existing buildings to crisis and transitional housing, including the supply of safe and secure short-term accommodation.
Critical funding for leading homelessness peak bodies
The Albanese Government will invest $6.2 million over three years to support leading homelessness peak bodies.
These peak bodies play a crucial role in advocating for vulnerable communities, including low-income Australians facing housing pressures. They provide expert advice on policy and lead research efforts that drive real change, helping improve the lives of Australians at risk of or experiencing homelessness.
Quotes attributable to Minister for Housing and Homelessness Clare O'Neil
One of the most common reasons women do not leave a violent partner is because they do not have safe and stable housing to go to. That should not be happening in a country like Australia. We have to do better, and this huge investment will help us get there.
This first three years has seen our government take a running tackle at the housing crisis. Half a million homes built, 55,000 social and affordable homes funded, a million households getting significantly increased rent assistance, and more than a hundred thousand young people supported into home ownership. And now, a huge investment in crisis and transitional housing.
We have a lot more work to do on housing, but this builds on a term of serious commitment and delivery in tackling the housing crisis.
