QLD Last State to Sign Up for National Homelessness Partnership
2 November 2015 at 4:33 pm
Queensland is the last state or territory to sign onto the joint Commonwealth project plan under the National Partnership Agreement on Homelessness.
Queensland’s 180 homelessness services, especially those assisting homeless young people and the victims of domestic violence, will benefit from around $115 million over the next two years in joint federal and state funding.
In March 2015, the former Abbott Government announced it would provide $230 million to extend the National Partnership Agreement on Homelessness (NPAH) for two years to 30 June 2017, with funding priority given to frontline services focusing on women and children experiencing domestic and family violence, and homeless youth.
The commitment was conditional on state and territory governments matching the Commonwealth’s commitment to homelessness funding under the NPAH. As part of extending the NPAH for two years, the Federal Government put in place reporting arrangements with the States and Territories that ensure the effectiveness of service delivery in these critical areas.
In August 2015 Queensland Housing Minister, Leeanne Enoch, said about the delay in Queensland’s signing of the agreement that "the NPAH has gone through Queensland's normal budget processes and is in the process of being signed and returned to the Commonwealth”.
Enoch said that the State Government had extended funding to all homelessness service providers until the end of September to cover the time spent finalising the Federal funding.
Minister for Social Services, Christian Porter said the Commonwealth Government would contribute $57.4 million as its part of the deal with Queensland.
“Women, children and young people are particularly vulnerable to homelessness, and that is why services focusing on these groups are prioritized under the NPAH,” Porter said.
Minister Leeanne Enoch said the state was taking a whole-of-government approach to supporting frontline services, addressing homelessness across a range of human services, including housing, health, child safety and disability services.
“The state is matching the $57.4 million in Commonwealth funds for the next two years for these crucial programs, which provide people with shelter, support and dignity,” Enoch said.
