Australian governments should work together to establish a ten-year national strategy on homelessness, according to a report of the House of Representatives Standing Committee on Social Policy and Legal Affairs released today.

Media release issue date: Wednesday, 4 August 2021

Australian governments should work together to establish a ten-year national strategy on homelessness, according to a report of the House of Representatives Standing Committee on Social Policy and Legal Affairs released today. In its report, the Committee makes 35 recommendations which propose a renewed approach to preventing and addressing homelessness in Australia. The Committee’s recommendations include a stronger focus on prevention and early intervention, wider adoption of the ‘Housing First’ principle—which would see housing made available to people who are homeless or at risk of homelessness as an immediate priority—and new approaches to increase investment in social and affordable housing. The Committee’s recommendations also include more crisis, emergency and transitional accommodation, improvements to data collection and reporting, and a new funding model to ensure that housing and homelessness services are provided to those most in need. Chair of the Committee, Mr Andrew Wallace MP, highlighted that a coordinated national approach is needed to bring down the number of people who are experiencing or at risk of homelessness. Mr Wallace said: ‘This week marks National Homelessness Week, which is a reminder that homelessness is all too common in Australia. Each night, tens of thousands of Australians are without a place to call home, while many others are at risk of becoming homeless. We know that the impacts of homelessness can be profound and long-lasting.’ ‘While the states and territories are responsible for housing and homelessness, a clear and consistent message to the Committee was that there is a need for a national approach. A national strategy would lead to better coordination, more accountability and a stronger focus on the policies that work—prevention and early intervention, providing housing as a priority, and encouraging more investment in social and affordable housing.’ Mr Wallace emphasised that: ‘There is no quick fix to end homelessness in Australia, but the Committee’s recommendations set out a way forward for all levels of government to work together, alongside community organisations and the private sector, to achieve a real reduction in the number of people who are homeless or at risk.’ A full copy of the Committee’s report can be found on the inquiry’s website. Media inquiries Office of Mr Andrew Wallace, Chair of Committee Mr Simon Thwaites Simon.Thwaites@aph.gov.au 0439 972 667 For background information Committee Secretariat 02 6277 2358 spla.reps@aph.gov.au For more information about this Committee, you can visit its website. On the site, you can, read submissions, find details of upcoming public hearings, and subscribe to receive email updates by clicking on the blue ‘Track Committee’ button in the bottom right hand corner of the page.

The House Standing Committee on Social Policy and Legal Affairs today released an interim report on its inquiry into homelessness in Australia, focusing on the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on housing and homelessness issues.

Media release issue date: Wednesday, 7 October 2020

The House Standing Committee on Social Policy and Legal Affairs today released an interim report on its inquiry into homelessness in Australia, focusing on the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on housing and homelessness issues. Chair of the Committee, Mr Andrew Wallace MP, said that ‘The COVID-19 pandemic arrived in Australia shortly after this inquiry commenced in February 2020. As the virus spread, the Committee quickly realised that it would have major implications for people at risk of or experiencing homelessness, and the governments and organisations who work with them.’ In May 2020, the Committee called for evidence on the impact of COVID-19 on homelessness, encouraging community groups and others to share their experiences in responding to the pandemic. By the beginning of October the Committee had received close to 200 submissions—most of which discuss the COVID-19 situation—and spoken to 40 governmental and non-government organisations at five public hearings. Mr Wallace said: ‘This interim report summarises what the Committee has heard to date from a wide range of people and organisations about COVID-19 and homelessness in Australia. ‘It explores the central themes of the evidence we have received including what the definition of homelessness should be, who is most at risk and the effectiveness of Government responses to homelessness during the COVID-19 pandemic. ‘The Committee heard from many organisations and peak bodies who gave detailed accounts of how service providers across Australia have adapted to the crisis and have continued to deliver support to the many people who are homeless or at risk of homelessness throughout Australia at this difficult time. ‘We believe that it is important to report now, so this evidence can be considered by policymakers in a timely way, even as the impacts of the pandemic continue to unfold.’ ‘The Committee encourages the Australian Government to take this report into account as it continues to formulate its immediate and long-term responses to the pandemic’, added Mr Wallace. The Committee’s inquiry into homelessness in Australia continues. The Committee will issue a final report, addressing the inquiry’s full terms of reference and including recommendations, at the conclusion of the inquiry. Further information about the inquiry is available on the Committee’s website. Media inquiries Office of Mr Andrew Wallace, Chair of Committee Mr Simon Thwaites Simon.Thwaites@aph.gov.au 0439 972 667 For background information Committee Secretariat 02 6277 2358 spla.reps@aph.gov.au

This week the House Standing Committee on Social Policy and Legal Affairs will hear from representatives from Tasmania, Western Australia, and the Australian Capital Territory as part of its inquiry into homelessness in Australia.

Media release issue date: Thursday, 6 August 2020

This week the House Standing Committee on Social Policy and Legal Affairs will hear from representatives from Tasmania, Western Australia, and the Australian Capital Territory as part of its inquiry into homelessness in Australia. Chair of the Committee, Mr Andrew Wallace MP, says the Committee is looking forward to hearing more from state and territory governments as they have primary responsibility for housing and homelessness. ‘Throughout the inquiry, the Committee has heard evidence about the central role of state and territory governments in supporting those in our community who are homeless or at risk of homelessness. Last week we heard from the Northern Territory government, and this week’s hearing will be an opportunity to hear from other states and territories about their strategies to address homelessness, and how they are working with the Commonwealth under the National Housing and Homelessness Agreement,’ Mr Wallace said. ‘The Committee will also be interested to hear more about measures implemented by state and territory governments to assist the homeless during the COVID-19 pandemic’. The Committee will also hear from community organisations including the Sacred Heart Mission and the Victorian Aboriginal Child Care Agency. In order to ensure public safety during the COVID-19 situation, witnesses will participate in the hearing remotely, via teleconference. Interested members of the public are invited to listen to the live broadcast, available at aph.gov.au/live. Further information, including hearing programs and submissions to the inquiry, is available on the Committee’s website. Public hearing details Date: Friday, 7 August 2020 Time: 8.45am to 3.00pm Location: Via teleconference Media inquiries Office of Mr Andrew Wallace, Chair of Committee Mr Simon Thwaites Simon.Thwaites@aph.gov.au 0439 972 667 For background information Committee Secretariat 02 6277 2358 spla.reps@aph.gov.au

This week the House Standing Committee on Social Policy and Legal Affairs will hold two further public hearings for its inquiry into homelessness in Australia.

Media release issue date: Tuesday, 28 July 2020

This week the House Standing Committee on Social Policy and Legal Affairs will hold two further public hearings for its inquiry into homelessness in Australia. At hearings on Wednesday and Thursday, the Committee will hear from representatives of all three levels of government, including the Lord Mayors of Sydney and Melbourne, the Northern Territory Government, and federal government agencies including the National Housing Finance and Investment Corporation. Other witnesses will include the Community Housing Industry Association and academics from the ANU Centre for Social Research and Methods who have been monitoring the level of housing stress being experienced by Australians during the COVID-19 period. The Committee will also have the opportunity to hear from individuals with lived experience of homelessness, who will provide a valuable perspective for the inquiry. Chair of the Committee, Mr Andrew Wallace MP, says the Committee is keen to hear from witnesses about the unique challenges in addressing homelessness in different regions of Australia, and about how the community can better support people who may be particularly vulnerable, including older Australians and veterans. ‘We know that the issue of homelessness presents in different ways across the country, from our largest capital cities to our most remote communities. These hearings are an opportunity for the Committee to hear about the different approaches to providing housing and homelessness services in these different communities,’ Mr Wallace said. ‘The Committee will also hear about support services for groups of Australians that we know are particularly at risk of homelessness, including older Australians and veterans, and about the ongoing impact of the COVID-19 situation’. In order to ensure public safety during the COVID-19 situation, witnesses will participate in the hearing remotely, via teleconference. Interested members of the public are invited to listen to the live broadcast, available at aph.gov.au/live. Further information, including hearing programs and submissions to the inquiry, is available on the Committee’s website. Public hearing details Date: Wednesday, 29 July 2020 Time: 8.45am to 4.00pm Location: Via teleconference Date: Thursday, 30 July 2020 Time: 8.45am to 4.00pm Location: Via teleconference Media inquiries Office of Mr Andrew Wallace, Chair of Committee Mr Simon Thwaites Simon.Thwaites@aph.gov.au 0439 972 667 For background information Committee Secretariat 02 6277 2358 spla.reps@aph.gov.au For more information about this Committee, you can visit its website. On the site, you can, read submissions, find details of upcoming public hearings, and subscribe to receive email updates by clicking on the blue ‘Track Committee’ button in the bottom right hand corner of the page.

This week the House Standing Committee on Social Policy and Legal Affairs will hold its first two public hearings for its inquiry into homelessness in Australia.

Media release issue date: Monday, 6 July 2020

This week the House Standing Committee on Social Policy and Legal Affairs will hold its first two public hearings for its inquiry into homelessness in Australia. On Tuesday, 7 July, the Committee will hear from government agencies, research institutes, and other organisations about the extent of homelessness in the Australian community and the programs and services in place to support those experiencing homelessness and those at risk. On Wednesday, 8 July, the Committee will hear further from some of Australia’s largest community organisations involved in providing housing and homelessness services. Chair of the Committee, Mr Andrew Wallace MP, says the Committee is keen to hear from witnesses about the challenges in supporting the homeless, particularly in the current environment, and about what further actions can be taken by all tiers of government, the not for-profit and private sectors to assist those most in need. 'These hearings are an opportunity to learn about the work of the homelessness sector in supporting some of our most vulnerable people, and about where there could be improvements to services to ensure as many of our homeless as possible are supported,' Mr Wallace said. 'The Committee is also keen to hear about how governments around Australia and the homelessness sector have worked during the COVID-19 situation to continue to provide essential support services to those experiencing homelessness and those at risk.' In order to ensure public safety during the COVID-19 situation, witnesses will participate in the hearing remotely, via teleconference. Interested members of the public are invited to listen to the live broadcast, available at aph.gov.au/live. Further information, including hearing programs and submissions to the inquiry, is available on the Committee’s website. Public hearing details Date: Tuesday, 7 July 2020 Time: 10.00am to 5.10pm Location: Via teleconference Date: Wednesday, 8 July 2020 Time: 9.00am to 3.00pm Location: Via teleconference Media inquiries Office of Mr Andrew Wallace, Chair of Committee Mr Simon Thwaites Simon.Thwaites@aph.gov.au 0439 972 667 For background information Committee Secretariat 02 6277 2358 spla.reps@aph.gov.au

In response to the present COVID-19 situation, the House of Representatives Standing Committee on Social Policy and Legal Affairs has agreed to suspend its inquiry into homelessness in Australia until a later date.

Media release issue date: Wednesday, 1 April 2020

In response to the present Covid-19 situation, the House of Representatives Standing Committee on Social Policy and Legal Affairs has agreed to suspend its inquiry into homelessness in Australia until a later date. Chair of the Committee, Mr Andrew Wallace MP, said that the Committee was conscious of the significant pressures on interested people and groups, particularly organisations working in the housing and homelessness sector, at this difficult time. ‘The Committee does not wish to add to the stress on community groups, or divert their efforts from responding to Covid-19, by asking for submissions to the inquiry now’, Mr Wallace said. He added that ‘The Committee also realises that the situation for homelessness in Australia is going to look different after Covid-19 than it did before. ‘Suspending the inquiry will allow relevant experts, organisations and affected people to provide evidence to the Committee later, that takes into account the impact of Covid-19 on homelessness in Australia. It will also mean the Committee can consider those issues and ensure that its inquiry into this extremely important issue is relevant and timely.’ The Committee will cease accepting submissions after 1 April 2020, with the intention of reopening the inquiry for new submissions at a later time. Submissions already provided are being considered by the Committee and will not need to be resubmitted later. Those who have already submitted will be able to add to their submissions, if they wish, when the inquiry is restarted. The Committee has not specified the period of suspension of the inquiry. It has decided to remain flexible and consider the appropriate time to restart work on the inquiry. Information and updates will be available on the inquiry website. Media inquiries Office of Mr Andrew Wallace, Chair of Committee Mr Simon Thwaites Simon.Thwaites@aph.gov.au 0439 972 667 For background information Committee Secretariat 02 6277 2358 spla.reps@aph.gov.au

More than 116,000 people were estimated to be homeless in Australia on Census night in 2016. Among them were people living in severely crowded dwellings, people living in temporary accommodation, and rough sleepers.

Media release issue date: Thursday, 13 February 2020

More than 116,000 people were estimated to be homeless in Australia on Census night in 2016. Among them were people living in severely crowded dwellings, people living in temporary accommodation, and rough sleepers. To examine this issue, the House of Representatives Standing Committee on Social Policy and Legal Affairs has launched an inquiry into homelessness in Australia. Chair of the Committee, Mr Andrew Wallace MP, said the inquiry would seek to understand the factors that contribute to people becoming homeless, identify opportunities to prevent homelessness, and examine ways to better support the homeless and those at risk. ‘Sadly, each night in Australia there are tens of thousands of people experiencing homelessness. We know that there are many pathways that can lead to homelessness, and through this inquiry we are hoping to understand how we can better support those who face it, and help some of the most vulnerable in our community’, Mr Wallace said. ‘There is a range of services available to support people who are homeless or at risk, and the Committee is particularly interested in hearing from communities around Australia about approaches that are working well, and ideas for improvement.’ The Committee will accept written submissions until 9 April 2020. Further information about the inquiry, including the terms of reference, is available on the inquiry webpage. Information about making a submission is available on the Parliament of Australia webpage. Media inquiries Office of Mr Andrew Wallace, Chair of Committee Mr Simon Thwaites Simon.Thwaites@aph.gov.au 0439 972 667 For background information Committee Secretariat 02 6277 2358 spla.reps@aph.gov.au