$1 million to tackle homelessness in New England

15 May 2018

Member for New England Barnaby Joyce said young people at risk of homelessness throughout the region would receive greater support through increased Federal Government assistance.

 

“The Coalition Government will provide up to $954,904 to Reconnect services in the New England over the next five years,” Mr Joyce said.

 

“Reconnect provides support and assistance to young people who are homeless or at risk of being homeless – a tough prospect with the onset of another harsh New England winter.

 

“Reconnect services are helping stabilise the lives of vulnerable young people in Armidale, Glen Innes, Inverell and Tenterfield by keeping them connected with their families, communities, and education or employment opportunities.

 

“The Reconnect program in these towns is operated by EACH, which provides a range of specialist services for local communities, and I encourage anyone who knows someone in a vulnerable housing situation to use this service.

 

“The Coalition Government’s long-term funding of Reconnect will help services to intervene before crisis occurs, connecting services with individuals to get lives back on track.” 

 

The Coalition Government has provided up to $117 million over five years to 102 Reconnect services across Australia, on top of an additional $375 million to frontline homelessness services under the new National Housing and Homelessness Agreement (NHHA).

 

Effective July 1, 2018, the NHHA combines two previous funding streams for affordable housing and homelessness, into one single entity.

 

The new agreement worth $4.6 billion over 3 years will be indexed annually and includes dedicated homelessness funding, to be matched by States and Territories, with a continued focus on people affected by domestic violence and vulnerable young people who are homeless or at risk of homelessness.

 

For more information on Reconnect services, visit the DSS website.

(ENDS)

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