YWCA Canberra welcomes the significant investment of $26 million in the 2021–22 ACT Budget to support those in our community who are most in need during the ongoing COVID-19 outbreak. We particularly welcome increased funding to expand the Specialist Homelessness Service programs that commenced operation during the pandemic.
The package also includes funding to help community organisations providing these much-needed services to meet wage costs, and a commitment to 2.5 per cent indexation.
This investment will allow Specialist Homelessness Service providers such as YWCA Canberra to help more of the many Canberrans who are currently homeless or at risk of homelessness. As noted by Rebecca Vassarotti, Minister for Homelessness and Housing Services, this is the first increase in base funding for homelessness services in nearly a decade.
“We welcome the ACT Government’s acknowledgement of the crucial role Specialist Homelessness Services play for some of our city’s most vulnerable citizens,” YWCA Canberra CEO Frances Crimmins said.
The latest homelessness data shows that in June 2021, over 1800 Canberrans were registered with specialist homelessness services, which included more than 1000 women.
“Specialist Homelessness Services provide tailored solutions to each person’s unique situation, to empower them to find a journey to housing stability,” Ms Crimmins said.
“With the ramifications of the COVID-19 crisis continuing to play out, we expect the demand for these services to continue to outweigh capacity for quite a while yet. YWCA Canberra is pleased to have the additional support and stability offered by the funding package to continue to support the community with housing and homelessness services.
More information:
- Australian Institute of Health and Welfare Specialist Homelessness Services data
- YWCA Canberra’s housing services
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