Mission Australia has welcomed ‘Which Way Home’ launched today by Prime Minister Kevin Rudd at its homeless families service in The Parks, Adelaide.

Mission Australia’s CEO, Toby Hall, said the paper was a great step forward in addressing one ofAustralia's biggest social issues.

“We congratulate Mr Rudd for taking a personal interest in this issue”.

“Australia is one of the worst countries in the developed world in terms of its levels of homelessness,” Mr Hall said.

On any night, there are about 100,000 homeless people across Australia. Contrary to stereotypes, they're not middle aged alcoholics 'sleeping rough', many are young (46 per cent are below 25) and they are victims of violence, extreme financial hardship, mental illness and drug addiction.

“A key feature of this new paper is its commitment to coordination and integration of mainstream and specific services to reduce homelessness”,

“We need to work together to make a real difference in the lives of these disadvantaged Australians”,

“We welcome the ambitious goals for ending homelessness and targets to measure progress that are included in the Green Paper,” Mr Hall said.

Mission Australia helps up to 50,000 homeless people throughout Australia each year with accommodation, counselling (drug and alcohol, financial/gambling, family relationship), case management, training and education and referral to other services.

“Australia has a poor track record when it comes to homelessness. We often take an out of sight, out of mind approach,” Mr Hall said.

“No society as wealthy as Australia should tolerate homelessness,” Mr Hall said.
Toby Hall said Mission Australia will make a detailed submission in response to the questions and options in the Green Paper.

“We know from experience that if we can prevent families and young people becoming homeless in the first place, that they will be much better off in the long run,”

“We will be using that experience to evaluate each of the options in the set out in the Green Paper,” Mr Hall said.

“We need to invest in high quality prevention models to stop people becoming homeless, we need to invest in short-term crisis accommodation that moves people out of homeless for ever. We need to explore concrete pathways to long term affordable housing support through out Australia”.

“The more people we can help out of homelessness and into permanent housing all the better – where possible we should help them to find a job – then we can transform the lives of that individual and their family, and benefit the entire community.

“Mission Australia’s hope is that this will be the trigger for change that will prevent end homelessness in Australia forever.” Mr Hall said.

The Facts on Homelessness:

On any night, there are about 100,000 homeless people across Australia.

Each year, Mission Australia helps around 5,000 homeless people with accommodation and housing support, and prevents another 40,000 people from becoming homeless through its services.

Around 3,000 homeless people get turned away by Mission Australia each year, because they can’t afford to help them.

ENDS

About Mission Australia

Mission Australia is a non-denominational Christian community service organisation. For almost 150 years, we have been helping change the lives of Australians in need. We have more than 450 services across metropolitan, rural and regional Australia – in every state and territory – and last year assisted more than 300,000 people. We are committed to eliminating disadvantage and creating a fairer Australia. Through our programs and services, we combat homelessness; assist families and children to develop a safe, nurturing environment; support disadvantaged young people; deliver entry-level training; and help unemployed people find permanent work.