The Albanese Labor Government will deliver a $67.5 million boost to homelessness funding to states and territories over the next year, to help address the serious challenges revealed in the latest Census data.

Census data released this week showed nearly 123,000 people were homeless in 2021, a 5.2 per cent increase since 2016, with the rental squeeze likely pushing these numbers higher during the past two years.

The $67.5 million delivered through the national agreement with the states and territories will secure hundreds of homelessness support jobs – such as social workers – that would have otherwise been cut.

Member for Werriwa Anne Stanley said that this will help people at risk of homelessness in Werriwa.

“I’m proud the alongside this measure the Government has an ambitious housing reform agenda to improve the outcomes for Australians at risk of, or experiencing, homelessness,” Ms Stanley said.

This funding will assist homelessness services through the National Housing and Homelessness Agreement in 2023-24 as the Albanese Labor Government develops a new National Housing and Homelessness Plan to begin in 2024-25.

“This Plan will be the first of its kind in our nation’s history and deliver lasting change for Australians facing housing challenges,” Minister for Housing and Minister for Homelessness, Julie Collins, said.

It is being developed in association with states and territories, industry bodies and not-for-profit organisations.

It will set out a 10-year strategy to inform future housing and homelessness policy in Australia and ensure everyone is working together so more Australians have a safe and affordable place to call home.

The Plan builds on the Albanese Labor Government’s existing significant commitments to address homelessness and Australia’s housing challenges.

Earlier this week the Government announced it would invest $91.7 million to help combat youth homelessness through the Reconnect program over the next three years.

Legislation currently before the Parliament will establish the $10 billion Housing Australia Future Fund, which will create a secure, ongoing pipeline of funding for social and affordable housing.

In its first five years, returns from the fund will help deliver 30,000 new social and affordable homes, including 4,000 homes for women and children impacted by family and domestic violence or older women at risk of homelessness.

Fund returns will also help deliver the Albanese Labor Government’s commitments to help address acute housing needs, including:

  • $200 million for the repair, maintenance and improvement of housing in remote Indigenous communities;
  • $100 million for crisis and transitional housing options for women and children impacted by family and domestic violence and older women at risk of homelessness; and
  • $30 million to build housing and fund specialist services for veterans who are experiencing homelessness or at risk of homelessness.