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Kick-Start Economy Through Housing For Homeless

Press Releases December 09 2008

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THE lead up to Christmas would be a great time for the Rudd Government to make a serious commitment to ending homelessness in Australia, Family First Leader Senator Steve Fielding said today.

“Family First wants the Federal Government to commit $1.5 billion to get homeless people off the streets, out of parks and off borrowed couches and into their own accommodation,” Senator Fielding said.

“Christmas as a traditional time of giving and goodwill would be a wonderful occasion to announce a major commitment to ending homelessness and ensuring all Australians can share in the prosperity of this great country.

“A big spending commitment to end homelessness would also help kick-start the economy, which is flagging because of the global financial crisis.

“It is appalling to think that we have such a high standard of living in Australia, yet we still walk past people sleeping in the street every day and think that’s normal.

“Homeless people have become invisible and we must change that and put into place serious dollars to solve this problem,” Senator Fielding said.

“The not-for-profit sector has been leading the way in caring for homeless people without much financial help, so it makes sense for them to manage investing the $1.5 billion as follows:
• Housing Costs = $1 billion 1st year Provide 100,000 accommodation units over 5 years at an average capital cost of $50,000 each;
• Caring Costs = $0.5 billion 1st year Provide support services like counselling, case management and employment assistance to help people get back on their feet.”