Housing Minister Richard Wynne initially said rough sleepers would be supported through other initiatives,but last week he told the sector the program would be extended for a further year after the government found money in the budget.
The program has “supported more than 1750 households to move into new homes with individual,tailored support”,a Victorian government spokeswoman said in a statement. “We have identified additional funding to ensure that the program can continue support and head-leases,where required,for existing participants in 2022-23. Additional funding will ensure that people in head-leased properties can remain until suitable long-term housing is secured.”
The$150 million program was established by the state government at the beginning of the COVID-19 pandemic to house rough sleepers in hotels and provide permanent homes and support services when lockdowns ended.
People staying in hotels have been given tailored support – including mental health,drug and alcohol,and family violence assistance – which continued when they moved into long-term housing.
There are currently 13 households living in hotels while they wait to move into new homes as part of the program.
Council to Homeless Persons chief executive Jenny Smith welcomed the government’s decision to reinstate funds until next year,and said she hoped the program would eventually become a permanent fixture.