Reprieve for Tasmania’s Homelessness Services – Funding to Continue

Tasmania’s peak body for affordable housing and homelessness welcomes the Commonwealth Government’s announcement of $230 million over 2 years to fund the National Partnership Agreement on Homelessness (NPAH), announced today. Shelter Tas also applauds the State Government’s quick response to match this funding, which was announced within hours.

‘This timely dual response will enable funding to flow to much needed services and their clients’, Shelter Tas Executive Officer, Pattie Chugg said.

The NPAH has enabled innovative services to address and prevent homelessness in Tasmania, such as a youth facility in Launceston, Streets to Home services in Hobart and Housing Connect support services for family violence, women escaping domestic violence and youth at risk or experiencing homelessness.

‘Shelter Tas welcomes the focus on domestic violence and youth. At the same time we need to ensure that funding is made available to other identified vulnerable groups, such as older people at risk of homelessness, those sleeping rough and men with children’.

‘Now that Federal government funding has been matched by the State, the 2015-2017 NPAH will stop the anxious waiting game and allow vital homelessness services to continue operating across Tasmania’, Ms Chugg said.

This funding announcement will provide up to $2.8 million each year for homelessness services from 2015-2017 from the State Government, this figure matches the commitment from the Commonwealth Government – a total of $5.6 million.

‘Shelter Tas and its members look forward to working with State and Commonwealth Governments through the Tasmanian Affordable Housing Strategy 2015-2025. The Strategy aims to ensure funding for a range of homelessness services, improved access to affordable, safe and secure housing, and effective outcome-based reporting’, Ms Chugg said.
Pattie Chugg, Executive Officer – Shelter Tas