Welfare Chief Responds to Homelessness Green Paper
22 May 2008
The head of one of Melbourne's largest welfare agencies has welcomed the Federal Government's Green Paper on homelessness, but warned that vulnerable people will fall through the cracks if the Government completely dismantles its current platform for funding and delivering homelessness services.
Anne Turley, Chief Executive Officer, Melbourne Citymission, said the Supported Accommodation and Assistance Program (SAAP) - the nation's primary policy response to homelessness since 1985 - needed to be strengthened.
"Melbourne Citymission has been saying for a long time that the homelessness system needs a comprehensive overhaul. SAAP needs to be the centrepiece of a rejuvenated system.
"SAAP is a dedicated platform for funding and providing homelessness services. It's the only government program in Australia that has homelessness as its organising principle.
"There's no question it needs enhancement, to take into account the latest research into the causes, symptoms and consequences of homelessness, but the bottom line is that, of all the things wrong with the system, SAAP is not one of them.
"Up until now, it's been a great platform for working with homeless Australians.
"Whether the Government keeps the program name, or calls it something different, matters little.
"What's critical is that the Federal Government retains a dedicated policy and funding platform to deliver services to homeless Australians.
"If we ‘mainstream' the issue within government - the third option in the Green Paper - so that each department operates in isolation, delivering a small chunk of services to homeless clients, people will fall through the cracks.
"There must be a specialised broker that works across government departments, to ensure that each homeless person gets the services they need, when they need them."
Ms Turley congratulated Prime Minister Kevin Rudd for making homelessness a priority issue for the nation.
"This is the first time in more than a decade that a Federal Government has committed to doing anything to alleviate homelessness.
"It's a complex social issue, with many different strands to the debate. Melbourne Citymission looks forward to continuing to be part of the discussion, and contributing to the White Paper, which will outline in detail, after extensive consultation, the Government's policy roadmap.
"Melbourne Citymission will be strongly advocating to enhance the current SAAP response."
Contact Information:
Claire Nyblom
General Manager Youth Services and Homelessness
Melbourne Citymission
Mobile 0417 575 282
Deborah Fewster
Media and Advocacy Adviser
Melbourne Citymission
Mobile 0403 839 427
