Successful programs which provide homes and support for former rough sleepers are facing a 75 per cent cut, according to Victoria’s peak homelessness body.
Council to Homeless Persons (CHP) has expressed serious concerns over the potential for Housing First initiatives like From Homelessness to a Home (H2H) being reduced from July 1.
Homelessness services are seeing H2H wound down amid plans to replace the program, which once had 2000 places, with a 500-place alternative.
CHP’s state budget submission, released today, calls for $101.3 million in 2024/25 and $423.8m over four years to expand Victoria’s Housing First programs to 3800 places.
Council to Homeless Persons CEO Deborah Di Natale urged the state government to lock in the future of Housing First programs.
“It’s clear from evidence on the ground that From Homelessness to a Home is having its funding quietly slashed despite its incredible success,” she said.
“For some people, these programs have ended years of rough sleeping and completely changed lives through combining housing with wraparound support.
“After being told last year that funding would be ongoing, it was disappointing to learn that the program was to be closed and replaced with a smaller one.
“We received assurances from the government that funding would be ongoing, yet now the program is being shut down and its replacement is 75 per cent smaller.”
“The Victorian government must reverse its decision to slash crucial homelessness programs that have a proven track record of outstanding results.
“Housing First works, but the Victorian government is walking away from thousands of rough sleepers without any explanation.”
“We urgently need $101.3 million in the upcoming state budget to fund 3800 Housing First places.
“Victoria can’t afford homelessness program cuts while there’s a once-in-a-lifetime housing crisis engulfing our state.”