FAMILIES, HOUSING, COMMUNITY SERVICES AND INDIGENOUS AFFAIRS PORTFOLIO 2009
Additional Estimates, February 2009

Topic: Homelessness Legislation
Senator Ludlam asked:
Which parts of the current Supported Accommodation Assistance (SAAP) Act of 1994 are going to be retained in the new homelessness legislation?
Answer:
The Australian Government will work with specialist homelessness services and state and territory governments and homeless people to review the Supported Accommodation Assistance (SAAP) Act 1994 in considering changes to the legislation.

Topic: Homelessness Legislation
Senator Ludlam asked:
How will homelessness be defined in the new Act?
Answer:
The White Paper notes the need for an agreed definition of homelessness. This will be developed in conjunction with states and mainstream and specialist homelessness service providers.
The Government has used a broad definition of homelessness in its policy work to date.

Topic: Reducing Homelessness
Senator Ludlam asked:
Will the target to reduce homelessness by half by 2020 be measured on a per capita basis or be measured using the total head count?
Answer:
The measurement of homelessness will be on the basis of the rate of homelessness in the community. The Australian Bureau of Statistics 2006 Census will be the baseline.

Topic: White Paper on Homelessness
Senator Ludlam asked:
Has the Department identified how each of the interim targets can be measured?
If not, how long will it take for this data to be developed?
Answer:
Providing data to measure the interim targets is the responsibility of the Australian Bureau of Statistics and the Australian Institute of Health and Welfare. It will take up to two years to develop some data collection for some measures while data collection methods exist for other measures. Interim measures will be used while this development occurs. The Australian Bureau of Statistics and the Australian Institute of Health and Welfare are currently developing their processes to collect information on new measures in consultation with State and Territories and the Commonwealth.

Topic: Homelessness Policy
Senator Ludlam asked:
Is it likely that hospitals will have to ‘hold' discharged patients for lack of suitable external accommodation?
Answer:
No. The ‘no exits into homeless policy' will not require hospitals to hold discharged patients if suitable external accommodation is not available. Hospitals will be required to implement pre-release planning for their patients.

Topic: White Paper on Homelessness
Senator Ludlam asked:
The White Paper notes that there will be additional services for up to 9,000 young people at risk of homelessness. Is this number the result of negotiations between the states and territories?
Answer:
The figure of 9,000 is indicative. A target of 9,000 was developed with reference to both funds available and the reach of existing youth services.

Topic: White Paper on Homelessness
Senator Ludlam asked:
Similarly, the White Paper states that additional support will be available for up to 2,250 families at risk of homelessness. Was this number the result of negotiations between states and territories?
Answer:
The figure of 2,250 is indicative. A target of 2,250 was developed with reference to funds available and the reach of existing services that support families.

Topic: White Paper on Homelessness
Senator Ludlam asked:
The White Paper sets out that ‘increasing staff salaries [at specialist homelessness services] had clear benefits for the quality of services provided'. Is the government planning to provide for higher homelessness staff salaries?
Answer:
Most homelessness staff work under State and Territory based awards. Provided States and Territories achieve specified outcomes, funding can be used to enhance staff salaries.