Published Wednesday, 15 October, 2008 at 06:30 PM
Minister for Communities, Disability Services, ATSIP, Multicultural Affairs, Seniors and Youth
The Honourable Lindy Nelson-Carr
Opposition can’t count: Minister
Communities and Disability Services Queensland Minister Lindy Nelson-Carr today said an Opposition media release claiming the Bligh Government spent only $2.5 million per annum to assist homeless Queenslanders or those at risk of becoming homeless was “total rubbish”.
“What is frightening about the claims is Mrs Menkens has not done her homework so it should be back to political school for the Opposition,” she said.
“This is another case of a policy-void Opposition making knee-jerk comments on the run.”
Ms Nelson-Carr said the Department of Communities was actually providing in excess of $76.3 million for a range of services and programs in 2008-09 to assist homeless Queenslanders and those at risk of becoming homeless.
“In 2006-07, through the Supported Accommodation Assistance Program (SAAP) alone, funding was $63.5 million, including new services under our Responding to Homelessness initiative such as early intervention services to help support people stay in housing so they don’t enter the crisis system,” Minister Nelson-Carr said.
“In 2007-08, funding for SAAP services increased to $67.5 million for 227 organisations across the State who provided a range of accommodation and related support services,” she said.
“As part of the $67.5 million, the Department of Communities allocated $19.8 million in 2007-08 for 72 youth accommodation and support services. These provided some 1,000 crisis and transitional beds on any given night for homeless young people aged 25 and under.
“As well, Communities in co-operation with Department of Education, Training and the Arts also assisted young people at risk of disengaging with education and training and becoming homeless by funding Youth Support Coordinators. This joint funding is $11.4 million annually. It provides 113 full time Youth Support Coordinators in 37 community organisations statewide.”
In 2008-09, Ms Nelson-Carr said SAAP funding increased again to $73.3 million for 230 SAAP agencies helping more homeless people and those at risk of becoming homeless.
Additional funding is also provided under the Crisis Accommodation Program currently managed by the Department of Housing.
“This crisis accommodation will transfer to Communities in 2009 to provide a stronger focus on support for homelessness under the Bligh Government than ever before,” Ms Nelson-Carr said.
Media Contact: Minister Nelson-Carr’s office 3235 4280
“What is frightening about the claims is Mrs Menkens has not done her homework so it should be back to political school for the Opposition,” she said.
“This is another case of a policy-void Opposition making knee-jerk comments on the run.”
Ms Nelson-Carr said the Department of Communities was actually providing in excess of $76.3 million for a range of services and programs in 2008-09 to assist homeless Queenslanders and those at risk of becoming homeless.
“In 2006-07, through the Supported Accommodation Assistance Program (SAAP) alone, funding was $63.5 million, including new services under our Responding to Homelessness initiative such as early intervention services to help support people stay in housing so they don’t enter the crisis system,” Minister Nelson-Carr said.
“In 2007-08, funding for SAAP services increased to $67.5 million for 227 organisations across the State who provided a range of accommodation and related support services,” she said.
“As part of the $67.5 million, the Department of Communities allocated $19.8 million in 2007-08 for 72 youth accommodation and support services. These provided some 1,000 crisis and transitional beds on any given night for homeless young people aged 25 and under.
“As well, Communities in co-operation with Department of Education, Training and the Arts also assisted young people at risk of disengaging with education and training and becoming homeless by funding Youth Support Coordinators. This joint funding is $11.4 million annually. It provides 113 full time Youth Support Coordinators in 37 community organisations statewide.”
In 2008-09, Ms Nelson-Carr said SAAP funding increased again to $73.3 million for 230 SAAP agencies helping more homeless people and those at risk of becoming homeless.
Additional funding is also provided under the Crisis Accommodation Program currently managed by the Department of Housing.
“This crisis accommodation will transfer to Communities in 2009 to provide a stronger focus on support for homelessness under the Bligh Government than ever before,” Ms Nelson-Carr said.
Media Contact: Minister Nelson-Carr’s office 3235 4280