Vic Signs off on National Homelessness Agreement
26 June 2014 at 3:04 pm
The Victorian Government has formalised the funding agreement for National Partnership Agreement on Homelessness with the Federal Government for the next 12 months only.
Victorian Premier Denis Napthine and Minister for Housing Wendy Lovell said the National Partnership Agreement on Homelessness (NPAH) has been officially signed off by both the Commonwealth and the Victorian Governments.
“Prime Minister Tony Abbott has confirmed the Commonwealth’s support and committed $22.8 million to Victoria, to assist in maintaining the current level of service delivery funding for those who are homeless or at risk of homelessness,” Dr Napthine said.
“The Commonwealth has signed on for a further year and indicated it will work with the states on future funding arrangements and provide a longer term solution for homelessness services.”
The Victorian Coalition Government announced funding of $124.4 million over four years in the 2014-15 State Budget.
“It’s reassuring to have the funding agreement on homeless services finally locked in, a week before the old agreement was due to expire,” Wendy Lovell said.
Earlier this month, the Federal Government told a Senate Committee that the States and Territories are poised to sign a new National Partnership Agreement on Homelessness for 2014-15, but had given no funding assurances beyond the next 12 months.
However, the Federal Government said that it was about to undertake a national review of the housing affordability and homelessness policies and programs.
