This week marks Homelessness Week in Australia - an annual week to help raise awareness of people experiencing homelessness and the action needed to help reduce it.

There are more Australians experiencing homelessness than ever before. 

In Ipswich, the Somerset Region and Karana Downs area, there were 600 people estimated to be homeless on Census night in 2016.

Federal Member for Blair, Shayne Neumann said the COVID-19 crisis has crystallised the urgency to deliver safe and affordable housing. 

“At a time when the need for social housing far outweighs supply, it is an important reminder that we must do more to support Australians experiencing homelessness, especially here in Ipswich, the Somerset Region and Karana Downs area.

“That’s why Labor will establish the Housing Australia Future Fund, showing leadership on homelessness where the Morrison Government has failed.

“A Labor Government will establish the Housing Australia Future Fund, which will build social and affordable housing and help reduce homelessness across Australia.”

Over the first five years the Housing Australia Future Fund will:

• Build 20,000 new social housing properties, including 4,000 homes for women and children fleeing domestic and family violence and older women on low incomes who are at risk of homelessness;
• Build 10,000 affordable homes for the heroes of the pandemic – frontline workers like police, nurses and cleaners that are keeping us safe;
• Provide $200 million for the repair, maintenance and improvements of housing in remote Indigenous communities, where some of the worst housing standards in the world are endured by our First Nations people; 
• Invest $100 million in crisis and transitional housing for women and children fleeing domestic and family violence, and older women on low incomes who are at risk of homelessness; and 
• Invest $30 million to build housing and fund specialist services for veterans who are experiencing homelessness or at-risk of homelessness. 

“After the first five years, a portion of the investment returns will be available to fund acute housing needs each year, in perpetuity.

“This funding will be used for additional crisis housing, transitional housing and long-term social housing in parts of the country with the greatest need.

“Only Labor has a plan to tackle housing and homelessness in Australia.”