A zero tolerance for homelessness

February 2020

Responds to the Victorian Parliamentary Inquiry into Homelessness

This submission follows and builds on the evidence provided to the Legal and Social Issues Committee by Bevan Warner, Chief Executive Officer and Karren Walker, Manager Entry Points, on 22 November 2019.

The persistence and continued growth of homelessness is unacceptable and unforgivable but it is eminently solvable, given the right policies, programs and attendant political leadership to make this happen. Launch Housing commends the work of the Legal and Social Issues Committee and recommends the following:

• There is an urgent need to invest in social housing – shamefully Victoria has the lowest level of public and community housing stock in Australia (3.5%). We can’t end homelessness without more homes.
• More and better assistance is needed for people to sustain a rental tenancy – be it private or public – and prevent the spiral into homelessness.
• Better discharge from hospitals and other institutions – it beggars belief that someone is discharged from hospital back to homelessness. This is a sign of systems failure that could easily be measured and reported on, just like we recount the road toll on nightly news bulletins.
• An improved response for crisis accommodation – purchasing beds from sub-standard private hotels and motels with poor amenities is unsafe, expensive, and further traumatises very vulnerable families and individuals.
• Increase the supply of Housing First or Permanent Supportive Housing; where services are insourced to residents, needing ongoing support to maintain a safe tenancy. It is cheaper than treating street homelessness. It is the correct economic and moral course to pursue.
• Double down and expand the provision of Education First Youth Foyers to provide proven pathways to vulnerable young people back into education and employment as a basis for a rich and productive life.