3 years ago
LABOR COMMITS $30 MILLION TO HELP HOMELESS VETERANS
JASON CLARE MP
Labor will invest $30 million over five years to build housing and fund specialist services for veterans who are experiencing homelessness or are at-risk of homelessness.
This is part of a $10 billion off-budget Housing Australia Future Fund an Albanese Labor Government will create to build social and affordable housing now and into the future.
It’s a national shame that so many people who have risked their lives for our country are homeless.
A few weeks after our country stood together on Anzac Day to declare “Lest We Forget”, there are thousands of veterans sleeping rough on our streets.
The statistics are alarming:
This is part of a $10 billion off-budget Housing Australia Future Fund an Albanese Labor Government will create to build social and affordable housing now and into the future.
It’s a national shame that so many people who have risked their lives for our country are homeless.
A few weeks after our country stood together on Anzac Day to declare “Lest We Forget”, there are thousands of veterans sleeping rough on our streets.
The statistics are alarming:
- One in ten people sleeping rough in NSW is a veteran.
- Around 5,800 ex-servicemen and women have been homeless in a 12-month period, far more than previously estimated.
- RSL Queensland has seen a 26 per cent increase in demand for their veteran homelessness program year on year and RSL NSW has also reported a 25 per cent increase in the number of veterans seeking housing support
- Carry On Victoria, which provides crisis accommodation for veterans sleeping rough, estimates 7,500 veterans are homeless in Victoria.
Studies have found chronically homeless veterans need tailored services to help get them into permanent and supported accommodation.
Without it, veterans will continue to fall through the cracks.
Labor’s $30 million funding commitment will support these specialist services and give more veterans and their families a future.
After eight long years in government, services for veterans have only gotten worse under the Liberals and Nationals, and there are more homeless veterans than ever before.
We need to do more to look after these brave men and women who have worn our uniform and help them put a roof over their heads.
Quote attributable to Shadow Veterans’ Affairs Minister Shayne Neumann:
“Labor’s $30 million funding commitment would provide grants for projects like RSL Care SA’s homeless veteran program, the Andrew Russell Veteran Living project in Adelaide.
“This outstanding initiative provides short-term emergency accommodation for veterans and helps them to find long-term affordable housing through wrap-around support services.
“I was delighted to visit this project in Adelaide today to see the amazing work they are doing on the ground.”
Quote attributable to RSL Care SA CEO Nathan Klinge:
“RSL Care SA is pleased to see the commitment that the Opposition Leader and the Shadow Minister for Housing and Homelessness have made to support our nation’s vulnerable homeless veterans.
“The ability to access suitable affordable housing is the least we owe our military service personnel, and Labor’s commitment of $30 million towards this goal is a very positive first step.”