NSW:Project to tackle regional homelessness

AAP General News (Australia)
08-01-2010
NSW:Project to tackle regional homelessness

SYDNEY, Aug 1 AAP - A unique $284 million action plan will tackle homelessness at a
regional level right across NSW, the state government says.

Launching the NSW regional homelessness action plans on Sunday, NSW Housing Minister
Frank Terenzini said the project, delivered in conjunction with the federal government,
will deliver vital services to ten local regions over the next four years.

"NSW is leading the way in Australia," Mr Terenzini said, adding the state government
is tackling the issue of homelessness in a unique way.

"Under this initiative, $40 million has been directly allocated to make sure 20 important
projects are rolled out as part of the new 10-region homeless action plans," he said.

Service providers in each region were asked what kind of initiatives would best work
in their area and what services were relevant to the needs of local homeless people, Mr
Terenzini said.

Speaking at the launch, Housing Minister Tanya Plibersek said the funding will fill
service gaps across NSW and make a practical difference to people's lives.

Ms Plibersek said the initiative will go some way towards reducing overall homelessness
by half by 2020.

"It's a challenge, it's a great task to truly reduce the number of Australian people
facing homelessness," Ms Plibersek said.

"They are ambitious targets, but they are targets I am confident we can achieve.

"The regional approach that NSW has taken will be very important in delivering on the
targets...because regional communities know best what is needed in their local area."

Some funding has already been released to allow important local projects to begin,
including $1.9 million for Project 40, a project in the Nepean area which will help more
families to access long-term housing.

Other projects include an Aboriginal outreach service in coastal Sydney, early intervention
support in Hunter, a North Coast accommodation project and mental health support services
in the Illawarra region.

AAP ih/jfm

KEYWORD: HOMELESS

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