Voices of housing stressed converge on Canberra for National Day of Action

Released Monday 23 March 2014 

Housing and homelessness organisations will converge on Canberra for National Shelter’s National Day of Action on Tuesday 24 March 2015 calling on the Federal Government to live up to its responsibilities to ensure that all Australians have access to affordable housing.  

30 June 2015 looms large for  housing and homelessness peaks National Shelter, Homelessness Australia and the Community Housing Federation of Australia (CHFA) who will lose the funding that allows them to voice the concerns of vulnerable people in the housing system. 

To make matters worse, the Government’s Federation process seems to be indicating that they will abandon their role in housing policy and programs, despite a history of 70 years of involvement.  

The sector has welcomed today’s news that the National Partnership Agreement on Homelessness has been extended by two years.  But the timing, only 100 days out from the end of the existing agreement, reflects a piecemeal approach. 

“The news today about extending the NPAH is great, but the chaos and lack of communication leading up to the announcement highlights the need for a integrated and strategic plan to address homelessness and affordable housing supply,” National Shelter Executive Officer Adrian Pisarski said. 

“National Shelter’s National Day of Action will involve delegations made up of housing and homelessness peaks and service providers meeting with government, opposition and cross bench MPs.

“We want our MPs to understand the gravity of what is happening.   Representatives from Anglicare, YWCA, Vinnies, Homelessness Australia, CHFA and Councils of Social Service and Shelters from around the country are dedicating time to making this point. 

“People will converge on Canberra from all corners of the country to knock on as many doors as possible to convince our elected representatives that now is the time to step up on housing. 

“The crisis in affordable housing is now so deep it cannot be far short of catastrophic.    We need a strategy to recast government programs, taxes and other incentives to create scale investment from institutions in social and affordable housing.  

“Governments, community organisations and the private sector must partner to create new ways to leverage investment in affordable housing at scale.   

“If everyone, including Government, steps up we can meet this challenge and unlock the economic and social dividends of secure, affordable and stable housing for us all.” 

ENDS 

Follow the National Day of Action via Twitter @AdrianPisarski, @NationalShleter @DrAliceClark. 

ACOSS Press Conference, 10.30am on the Day of Action (Tues 24 March) in the Centre Courtyard.