Hearings continue for homelessness inquiry

THIS WEEK the House Standing Committee on Social Policy and Legal Affairs will hold two further public hearings for its inquiry into homelessness in Australia.

At hearings on Wednesday and Thursday, the Committee will hear from representatives of all three levels of government, including the Lord Mayors of Sydney and Melbourne, the Northern Territory Government, and Federal Government agencies including the National Housing Finance and Investment Corporation.

Other witnesses will include the Community Housing Industry Association and academics from the ANU Centre for Social Research and Methods who have been monitoring the level of housing stress being experienced by Australians during the COVID-19 period.

The Committee will also have the opportunity to hear from individuals with lived experience of homelessness, who will provide a valuable perspective for the inquiry.

Chair of the Committee, Andrew Wallace MP, said the Committee was keen to hear from witnesses about the unique challenges in addressing homelessness in different regions of Australia, and about how the community can better support people who may be particularly vulnerable, including older Australians and veterans.

"We know that the issue of homelessness presents in different ways across the country, from our largest capital cities to our most remote communities. These hearings are an opportunity for the Committee to hear about the different approaches to providing housing and homelessness services in these different communities," Mr Wallace said.

"The Committee will also hear about support services for groups of Australians that we know are particularly at risk of homelessness, including older Australians and veterans, and about the ongoing impact of the COVID-19 situation."

In order to ensure public safety during the COVID-19 situation, witnesses will participate in the hearing remotely, via teleconference. Interested members of the public are invited to listen to the live broadcast, available at aph.gov.au/live.

Further information, including hearing programs and submissions to the inquiry, is available on the Committee’s website.

Public hearing details

Date: Wednesday, 29 July 2020
Time: 8.45am to 4pm
Location: Via teleconference

Date: Thursday, 30 July 2020
Time: 8.45am to 4pm
Location: Via teleconference

 

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