Media Release by The Hon John Cobb MP

Projects to Support New South Wales homeless

Joint Media Release with:

  • The Hon. Reba Meagher MP, Minister for Community Services, Minister for Aboriginal Affairs, Minister for Youth, Minister Assisting the Premier on Citizenship, Member for Cabramatta

People in New South Wales who are homeless or in need of support services will be further assisted through five new projects, with funding from the Australian and New South Wales Governments.

Federal Minister for Community Services, John Cobb, and New South Wales Minister for Community Services, Minister for Youth and Minister for Aboriginal Affairs,
Reba Meagher, today announced the projects under the Supported Accommodation Assistance Program (SAAP) Innovation and Investment Fund.

‘The Australian Government will contribute over $3.57 million in funding over five years to the Innovation and Investment Fund to find new ways to improve existing services for people who are homeless, or at risk of homelessness in New South Wales,’ Mr Cobb said.

‘As part of the SAAP V Agreement, the Australian Government will also commit more than $303 million in funding, with the New South Wales Government matching the amount, to deliver much needed SAAP services to the community.’

Ms Meagher said the projects would address the factors contributing to homelessness, including family violence intervention services and accommodation services for youth in the state.

‘An example is the Hastings Mid North Coast Outreach Support Women’s Refuge which, with $230 000 in funding, will expand strategies to enable women and children to remain safely at home after experiencing domestic violence and establish partnerships with Indigenous communities in the Taree and Kempsey areas.

‘A further $150 000 will assist Mission Australia’s youth accommodation services in Sydney’s north, south and west, focus on early intervention strategies.

‘These projects will go a long way to address homelessness in the community, with new and innovative ways to help individuals and families at risk,’ Mr Cobb said.

The Innovation and Investment Fund is part of the $1.82 billion SAAP V Agreement between the Australian Government and states and territories. The Australian Government has committed $932 million over five years to SAAP V.