There are 100,000 homeless people nationwide and one third of those are children. The Australian Council of Social Service (ACOSS) says low-income families are facing a crisis in affordable housing that the Federal Government is choosing to ignore.
The claim comes as one of the country's peak homelessness groups, Australian Federation of Homelessness Organisations, launches its latest campaign highlighting the problem in Australia.
ACOSS has released the results of a survey of 99 Government-funded housing services across Australia. It finds that at least one in three people seeking housing assistance is turned away.
Earlier this week, the Productivity Commission called for an inquiry into low-income housing needs as one of the findings of its inquiry into first home ownership. However, the Federal Government rejected the suggestion.
ACOSS deputy president Sue Ham says unions, the housing industry and community groups will hold their own summit to discuss the growing crisis of housing affordability.
"There's a national housing summit that's been called by a very broad coalition of interests that will be in Canberra early next week. That summit is going to be starting to examine some of the problems as all parts of the industry look at it, but also come up with some viable solutions," she said.
Meanwhile, the Australian Federation of Homelessness Organisations has launched its 'Come Inside' program.
Spokesman Jack Quinane says it reminds Australians there are 100,000 homeless people nationwide and one third of those are children. He says more needs to be done to help Queensland's 25,000 homeless people.
"Queensland is one of the states that is yet to fund and develop a state-wide strategy for homelessness. We've got four states that have already done so. The most recent is South Australia where they've committed $20 million over five years and a commitment by the Premier to reduce homelessness by 50 per cent. We'd love to see a response like that from the Queensland Government," he said.
By ACOSS & out On The Street 25 June 04
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