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New initiatives for homeless Canberrans

Released 04/08/2009
Section: Jon Stanhope, MLA | Media Releases

Chief Minister Jon Stanhope has today announced innovative new plans to address the complex needs of homeless Canberrans.

Under the new initiatives, homeless Canberrans would be actively sought out, housed and then supported to overcome the personal challenges that led to their homelessness.

In a targeted approach, active outreach programs would seek out homeless people and encourage them to use existing services, with specific plans for a number of at-risk groups including young people, victims of domestic violence, former prisoners attempting to rejoin the community, and the elderly.

The push will be based on a ‘housing first' philosophy, recognising that a stable tenancy is only the first step in addressing the root causes of homelessness.

The strategy is the second phase of the ACT Government's nation-leading Affordable Housing Action Plan. This second phase focuses specifically on addressing homelessness and creating affordable, appropriate accommodation options for older Canberrans.

The homelessness initiatives are jointly funded by the Australian and ACT Governments under the National Partnership Agreement on Homelessness and will help contribute to the national goal of halving homelessness in Australia by 2020.

Initiatives for older Canberrans include incentives for the development of residential villages, improving options for ageing in place, adaptable housing designs that meet changing needs over time and creating better links to services and community networks.

"This second phase of the Government's Affordable Housing Action Plan draws on the experience of communities around the world and selects and adapts best-practice models to suit Canberra's unique circumstances," Mr Stanhope said.

Highlights in the area of attacking homelessness include:

• A housing initiative for young people based on a UK model that links secure and stable accommodation with training and mentoring;
  
• A public housing support initiative linking mental health services with tenancy support;
  
• A dedicated facility for elderly Canberrans who are either homeless or at risk of becoming homeless. Based on the Wintringham model pioneered in Melbourne, the program aims to provide dignified, affordable, high quality care and accommodation; and
  
• Transitional residential and social support for former prison inmates re-entering the community.

Highlights in the area of accommodating older Canberrans include:

• Developing Universal Design guidelines to ensure that housing is adaptable to changing needs over time with a target of 100% of new detached housing incorporating Universal Design principles by 2020;
  
• Encouraging and enabling the construction of granny flats, pre fabricated housing, and dual occupancies;
  
• Establishing ‘virtual' retirement villages to allow Canberrans to age independently in the community while accessing services and assistance; and
  
• Targeting public housing to include appropriate accommodation for older tenants.

Phase two of the Affordable Housing Action Plan will build on the achievements of the first phase, which has already seen action against 62 initiatives, including:

• Record land releases, with 4,339 blocks released in 2008-09, 3,000 blocks due for release this financial year and an average of 3,000 blocks due for release in the following four years;
  
• The establishment of over the counter land sales;
  
• Streamlining land release and approval processes and englobo land releases;
  
• The requirement for at least 15 per cent affordable housing in all new developments;
  
• Transfer of $40 million in assets to CHC Affordable Housing, together with a $50 million loan facility;
  
• Implementation of the Land Rent Scheme to help more people access home ownership;
  
• Stamp duty concessions for first home buyers and pensioners;
  
• Delivering house and land packages for under $300,000 as part of the OwnPlace initiative;
  
• Inviting institutional investors to provide affordable private rental accommodation; and
  
• Funding industry awards for excellence in construction and design of affordable housing.

Media Contact:
Ian De Landelles 6205 2775 or 0438 289 714. Email ian.delandelles@act.gov.au