New Commonwealth funding is available to help older people who are homeless or at risk of homelessness in outer regional, remote and very remote areas of Australia. Applications for funding under the Assistance with Care and Housing for the Aged Program (ACHA) close on September 21. The ACHA program supports older people who are homeless or at risk of homelessness, through linking them with housing and care services. Read about the

On August 6, the Australian Institute of Health and Welfare released the 2010 state and territory results from the ‘National social housing survey’. The report states that 79% of community housing tenants were satisfied with the services provided by their housing provider, and 73% of public housing tenants were so satisfied. Read the report.

For four years from July 1, the Home Energy Saver Scheme will be providing advice and support on reducing energy costs for low-income households. The scheme covers information, advice, advocacy and support on energy efficiency, as well as referrals to the No Interest Loans Scheme, and it will be delivered by not-for-profit organisations that provide financial counselling services. It is part of the Commonwealth Government’s climate change plan, Securing a Clean Energy Future. Read more details.

On June 20, the Commonwealth Government released its response to Housing the homeless — the report on the inquiry into homelessness legislation by the House of Representatives Standing Committee on Family, Community, Housing and Youth which was tabled in 2009. In the response, the government stated that it agrees ‘in principle’ with committing to an adequate supply of appropriate accommodation for people who are experiencing homelessness; however, it noted that state and territory government policies strongly influence the availability of

The Commonwealth Government released an exposure draft of a Homelessness Bill 2012 on June 5, and is seeking feedback by August 3. The draft legislation sets out a definition of homelessness, service delivery outcomes and strategies to reduce homelessness. It also specifies that the Commonwealth’s ‘aspiration’ is that all Australians have access to adequate housing. Increasing the supply of affordable housing is listed as one of the strategies to reduce homelessness. The proposed legislation will replace the Commonwealth Supported Accommodation

On April 13, the Council of Australian Governments released a National Partnership Agreement Supporting National Mental Health Reform, which includes funding to improve housing outcomes for people with severe mental health issues. See the National Partnership Agreement Supporting National Mental Health Reform.

On April 13, the Council of Australian Governments (COAG) released a revised National Partnership Agreement on Homelessness which contained performance indicators which had been amended following a mid-term review of the agreement. See the revised National Partnership on Homelessness. The review found that there was some evidence of progress towards agreement’s outcomes, however there was insufficient evidence to assess whether the agreement’s targets will be met. See the report on

On April 4, the Australian Institute of Health and Welfare
released the first report from the new Specialist Homelessness Services
Collection, for the first quarter of data collection. From July to
September 2011, an estimated 91,627 clients were assisted by specialist
homelessness agencies. Following support from homelessness services,
there was an improvement in the ability of people to access social
housing, however the most common tenure for clients at the end of
support was private rental. See the report from the

On December 9, the Australian Institute of Health and Welfare released its reports on government-funded specialist homelessness services, finding that an estimated 230,500 people used specialist homelessness services in 2010–11. more…

On December 15, the Australian Institute of Health and Welfare released a report which found that 59% of all people seeking immediate accommodation from homelessness services in 2010–11 were turned away. more…