Federal Parliamentary Inquiry into Homelessness Legislation
The House of Representatives Family Committee has committed to an inquiry into the principles and service standards for new homelessness legislation.
The Supported Accommodation Assistance Act 1994 sets out principles that have guided government responses to homelessness since 1995. The 2008 Federal Government’s White Paper on homelessness, The Road Home, has noted, however, that the legislation should be strengthened. The Committee is consulting communities and calling for submissions in order to advise government of the principles and service standards that should be included in such new legislation.
The Committee will specifically examine:
- the principles that should underpin the provision of services to Australians who are homeless or at risk of homelessness;
- the scope of any legislation with respect to related government initiatives in the areas of social inclusion and rights;
- the role of legislation in improving the quality of services for people who are homeless or at risk of homelessness;
- the effectiveness of existing legislation and regulations governing homelessness services in Australia and overseas; and
- the applicability of existing legislative and regulatory models used in other community service systems, such as disability services, aged care and child care, to the homelessness sector.
Further information regarding the Inquiry is available at: http://www.aph.gov.au/house/committee/fchy/homelessness/index.htm. Submissions addressing the terms of reference are due by 14 August 2009. The Committee anticipates reporting by December 2009.
Please consider if your agency wishes to make a submission.
CHP will be making a comprehensive submission as will the National Youth Coalition for Housing (the national youth homelessness body that is part of Homelessness Australia).
Please contact Jane Lazzari at CHP if you require any further information.
