National Homelessness Week ‘Opportunity’

Not for Profits are encouraging Australia to use National Homeless Week as an opportunity to focus on finding solutions.

This year’s National Homeless Week (6 August to 12 August), promotes the theme: Homing in on the Real Issue of Homelessness.

Jenny Smith, CEO of Council to Homeless Persons (CHP) says “Homelessness is a problem with a solution”.

To effectively respond to homelessness NFPs say States must
1. Expand housing options.
2. Ensure people have appropriate supports to remain housed.
3. Prevent homelessness before it starts.

To further expand on these strategies and support the expansion of accessible, affordable and appropriate homes, CHP says it has joined with six other Victorian housing, homelessness and family violence peak organisations to promote five key housing priorities in response to the Victorian Government’s consultation process on the future of social housing in Victoria.

Two discussion papers were produced to inform the discussion: Pathways to a fair and sustainable social housing system and Social Housing a discussion paper on the options to improve the supply of quality housing.

Prior to this consultation process the Victorian government developed and released the 2011–2015 Victorian Homelessness Action Plan.

‘It’s important to note that homelessness is a community issue, so having a community response is important.,” Smith said.

From coffee makers and coffee drinkers helping to raise funds for small grassroots services that help people who are homeless across Australia (CafeSmart (via StreetSmart) @streetSmartAust #CafeSmart) to state and regional sleep outs – National Homelessness Week is being acknowledged is a variety of events.

To find out what is happening in each State click here.