Uniting: Advocate now for services

Wimmera homelessness service provider leaders are concerned about the impact impending funding cuts will have on their ability to help people in need.

Funding arrangements under the National Housing and Homelessness Agreement, NHHA, are due to expire on June 30.

Under NHHA, the Commonwealth’s Social and Community Services Equal Remuneration Order, ERO, provided $21.9-million in 2021-22 and $22.5million in 2022-23 to Victorian services.

The ERO was introduced in 2012 to fund social and community workers, recognising the sector’s predominantly female workforce had been historically lower paid because of their gender.

Uniting Vic.tas Ballarat, Barwon and western division homelessness senior manager Adam Liversage said the possibility of reduced funding for services was creating tension within the sector.

“With inflation and rising costs of living, people are struggling to pay rent and get food on their table, so we are busier than ever,” he said.

“People need assistance more than ever. A funding cut is a real concern.”

Mr Liversage said the money supported staff across the homelessness branch of the organisation.

“At this stage, we can’t see an alternative stream of funding,” he said.

“It would mean we have to decrease our resources, which impacts the assistance we can provide. We don’t know where people will be able to turn.”

Mr Liversage said Wimmera people were significantly impacted by rising costs.

“Grocery bills are increasing and rent is unaffordable,” he said.

“For some people, 60 percent of their pay is going towards rent and that’s a real concern.

“Wimmera people have always been good at banding together to support one another, and advocacy would be a strong help right now.

“People can advocate to their local, state and federal members and other stakeholders, or if you are in a position to help with material aid, please reach out to us and ask how you can assist us to support others.”

A Minister for Housing spokesperson said the Federal Government had an ‘ambitious’ reform agenda to help address Australia’s housing challenges.

“The government is seeking an extension of the National Housing and Homelessness Agreement with states and territories to support the transition to a new housing agenda,” they said.

“The government will continue to consult on this transition.”

The House of Representatives passed legislation to establish a $10-billion Housing Australia Future Fund to generate returns to support 30,000 new social and affordable homes in the fund’s first five years.

During this timeframe, fund returns would also provide $100 million for crisis and transitional housing options for women and children fleeing domestic and family violence and older women at risk of homelessness, and $30 million to build more homes for veterans experiencing homelessness or who are at risk of homelessness.

The Federal Government has a new National Housing and Homelessness Plan, with expressions of interest now open for public contributions.

Uniting Vic.tas chief executive Bronwyn Pike said it was distressing the organisation was already turning away people in need because demand exceeded services available.

“In the Wimmera, we’re already seeing unprecedented demand at our homelessness entry point, while our youth outreach, adolescent support, transitional housing and tenancy programs are all under strain,” she said.

“All these programs rely on funding, so it’s critical that it continues.

“By cutting ERO funding, it will impact not only our housing and homelessness support, it will have a significant knock-on effect on all our crisis services – including emergency relief, which provides vital support such as food parcels to people in need.

“Every day we find there are more people who can barely afford to keep a roof over their heads let alone pay their bills or put food on the table.

“In the middle of a housing crisis, the last thing the housing and homelessness support sector needs is a funding cut – it will be devastating.”