Media Release Friday 31 January 2014

The Report on Government Services focusing on housing and homelessness has found the ACT is still behind other jurisdictions, while more people still aren’t getting their needs met in housing, Shadow Minister for Family and Community Services Nicole Lawder said today.

“According to the review the proportion of people experiencing repeat homelessness is still well above the national average of 4 percent at 7.2 percent,” Ms Lawder said.

“Our rate of homelessness of 50 per 10 thousand is also above the national rate of 48.9.

“Demand for public housing in the ACT exceeds supply and hence only those in the most urgent of priority needs are housed.

“As Shadow Minister for Housing I receive a steady stream of correspondence from Canberrans who have been waiting a considerable length of time for public housing. Many have very complex and urgent needs, such as requiring a house with disability access.

“The ACT Labor government needs to spend less money on ideological pet projects, and more on supporting Canberrans with very real and pressing needs, including one of the most basic needs, the need for shelter,” Ms Lawder concluded.

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Contact: Joe Prevedello 0402768432