New Veterans’ Acute Housing Program launched

The Federal government announced a $30million grants pool to address veteran homelessness.

FILE IMAGE: Homeless in Sydney mockup, by CONTACT.

Launched today, the Veterans’ Acute Housing Program is funded from the Housing Australia Future Fund.

This new program is intended to support veterans and their families experiencing, or at risk of, homelessness.

The government estimates that about 6000 veterans are at risk of homelessness each year – and, on census night in 2021, there were about 1500 Australian veterans who actually were homeless.

Minister for Veterans’ Affairs and Defence Personnel Matt Keogh said veterans were three times more likely to experience homelessness than the general population.

“Frankly, that’s not good enough. We have an obligation to look after those who have put on our uniform to protect Australia,” Mr Keogh said.

“Through these grants we are providing veterans and their families experiencing, or at risk of, homelessness with pathways to access safe and secure accommodation tailored to their specific needs.

“The Veterans’ Acute Housing Program provides the necessary stability and security of accommodation to ensure the effectiveness of other necessary supports for veterans.

“A vital component of this program is funding to provide wraparound supports to veterans and their families facing homelessness.

“These supports can include health and mental-health treatment, as well as linkage to other community services.”

Applications for grant funding are now open to eligible organisations to not only build more crisis and transitional housing for veterans, but also provide wrap-around specialist services for veterans and their families.

Veteran-aware community housing providers and ex-service organisations are invited to apply for one or both of the program’s two grant streams:

• $24million is available under the Veterans’ Acute Housing Program – Capital Works Grant to make more crisis and transitional housing available for veterans and their families.
• $6million is available under the Veterans’ Acute Housing Program – Specialist Services Grant to fund organisations to deliver access to specialist support services that address risk factors for homelessness.

Any veteran who is homeless or at risk of homelessness is encouraged to reach out to the Department of Veterans’ Affairs on 1800 VETERAN (1800 838 372) or Open Arms – Veterans & Families Counselling on 1800 011 046 to be connected to appropriate supports.

 

 

 

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