Homelessness NSW: Submission to the NSW Government, 2024/25 Budget

We call on the NSW Government to commit to a solid investment in social infrastructure – this is essential, lifesaving infrastructure.1 Homelessness NSW is a not-for-profit peak agency that exists to build the capability of people and the capacity of systems to end homelessness. [...] There is less capacity than ever for the homelessness service sector to meet demand.4 There is a dire shortage of social housing and affordable private housing, increasing the numbers of people forced into homelessness and reducing the options for pathways out of homelessness. [...] We welcome the NSW Government’s recognition of the homelessness crisis and acknowledgement that social housing and comprehensive support services are key to addressing this crisis.5 We now call for investment to match that commitment in the 2024-25 Budget. [...] Targeted accommodation and support funds Homelessness services are not able to meet overall demand and are struggling even further to meet the needs of some groups of people facing particular barriers to services and housing. [...] This is an opportunity to reduce the numbers of young people who experience homelessness and improve the capacity of the homelessness service system to meet the needs of young people.