Feds Urge Homelessness Agreement Sign On
8 July 2014 at 12:09 pm
The Federal Government is urging South Australia and Tasmania to sign the 2014-15 National Partnership Agreement on Homelessness (NPAH).
Minister for Social Services Kevin Andrews said that only South Australia and Tasmania were yet to sign the 2014-15 Agreement that provides up to $115 million in Federal funding for homelessness initiatives.
Andrews said the signatory states were New South Wales, Queensland, Victoria, Western Australia along with the Australian Capital Territory and the Northern Territory.
“The NPAH will ensure homelessness programs can continue for at least another year including many focused on women and children experiencing domestic and family violence,” he said.
“Negotiations with South Australia and Tasmania are ongoing and I remain hopeful these two states will sign up in the near future.
“The previous Labor government failed to make any provision for Commonwealth homelessness funding after 30 June 2014, creating significant uncertainty for the sector and providers.
“This one-year extension of the NPAH will enable the Government to re-assess Commonwealth housing and homelessness policy with the object of doing things more efficiently.
“Over the coming year, we will look at what improvements can be made to achieve lasting reductions in the number of homeless Australians,” Andrews said.
In June the Victorian Premier Denis Napthine said the Homelessness Agreement had been officially signed off by both the Commonwealth and the Victorian Governments.
“Prime Minister Tony Abbott has confirmed the Commonwealth’s support and committed $22.8 million to Victoria, to assist in maintaining the current level of service delivery funding for those who are homeless or at risk of homelessness,” Dr Napthine said.
“The Commonwealth has signed on for a further year and indicated it will work with the states on future funding arrangements and provide a longer term solution for homelessness services.”
The Victorian Coalition Government announced funding of $124.4 million over four years in the 2014-15 State Budget.
