This semester I was given the opportunity to take part in project-based learning that was self-directed, with the purpose of making a positive difference. I chose the topic of homelessness which will use all of the elements of social sciences. I decided that it would be most effective to give a speech so the school community was able to gain a better understanding of the issue and the best options for future solutions.

Speech:

The experience of homelessness can be defined in many different ways and stretches across many cohorts of people, including people living in crisis accommodation, rough sleeping or those in temporary housing. Being homeless can mean more than not having a roof over your head and is not just one typical experience. Every Australian deserves to have a home. On any given night in Western Australia, around 9,000 people can be considered to be homeless. More are homeless and not counted as such. For instance you could be hopping between friends houses couch surfing. Over a year, WA’s specialist homelessness services are assisting over 24,000 people.

There are many different causes of homelessness. Poverty and inability to afford adequate housing, domestic violence and financial difficulty.

Homelessness is a global issue, it has a major impact on those individuals experiencing it, and society. The United Nations 11^th goal is to make cities and human settlements inclusive, safe, and sustainable. According to that goal, states must commit to measuring and ending homelessness. This would, in fact, be in line with the global target to ensure adequate housing for all by 2030. It is also consistent with sustainable development goal 10, which addresses inequalities, as the commodification of housing is putting people on the streets throughout the world. The UN Global Goal 1 is to irradicate poverty. None of these goals are near to be completed and 2030 is 8 years away.

Homelessness is also an economic issue. It costs more, on average, to leave someone homeless than to house and support them and it can have a ripple effect on society. It impacts the availability of healthcare resources, crime and safety, the workforce, and the use of tax dollars. The effects of homelessness on society can be quite costly, not only in terms of tax dollars spent, but on the strain it puts on social agencies, individuals and families. Though families and some individuals may find themselves in homeless shelters for relatively short periods of time due to an economic or personal crisis, it is the long term, chronic homeless population that runs up significant costs. These include hospitalization and emergency room visits, police intervention, and the use of mental health, poverty and homeless programs.

There are many organizations involved in managing the issue of homelessness including:

1. Not-for-profits such as Anglicare and the Salvation Army, in which largely provide support services such as health programs, counselling and assistance with finding accommodation (although not the provision of crisis accommodation).
2. There are Charity and Impact Investors – they provide food and other essential services. An example is Backpack Bed, a company which provides a sleeping bag for individuals sleeping rough – provides weather protection and health benefits.
3. The Local Government is responsible for coordination of groups and services. Including the not for profit charity sector.
4. Homelessness is ultimately the State Governments responsibility. They are currently responsible for the provision of social and affordable housing, support programs and disability services, as well as hospitals and police.
5. Finally the Federal Government provides rental assistance and national housing programs such as NRAS (National Rental Affordability Scheme). Which is a federal government subsidy scheme for people to rent out accommodation at 20 percent below market rates.

Traditionally people experiencing homelessness were expected to address the issues that led to their homelessness, such as mental health or addictions before they were housed. Under a Housing First approach, the priority is to quickly move people experiencing homelessness into appropriate housing. I believe that support provided while in housing is more effective than without a house, provide a stronger platform for education and employment and transition out of support services, and I see permanent housing as a basic human right. This approach advocates that people experiencing homelessness are better able to access support and achieve long-term positive outcomes from the stability of a home.

This program has worked internationally, in Finland, Vienna, Austria etc. If this program can work for so many, and have a positive impact on not only the homeless population but also on our economy and increase our standard of living, then why aren’t we doing it?

In 2018, the Western Australian Alliance to End Homelessness delivered its 10-year strategy to end homelessness, which informed the current State Government – All Paths Lead to a Home Strategy 2020-2030.  In summary, solutions for increased housing include:

1. Increasing the supply of social and community housing – 17,000 people are currently on waiting list for affordable housing. WA Government committed $2.1 billion over 4 years to provide up to 3,300 more houses. On the 7^th of June last year the WA government announced a housing stimulus package to help with our states economic recovery. This was valued to a total of $444 million and only to build 250 social housing properties. Minister for housing John Carey is responsible for delivering it, I did send him an email hoping to interview him, however I am yet to receive a response.
2. Another would be to incentivise the private sector to provide Affordable Housing: This involves providing planning incentives for inclusion of social/affordable housing within private developments. For instance a height or density bonus.
3. To facilitate access to the private rental market: The provision of rental subsidies such as NRAS to make private accommodation affordable.
4. Finally a provision of a diverse range of housing options. Plan based on level of demand, for example there may be 500 people that are disabled and because of this they have different living condition needs.

State Governments rely on taxes to fund the provision of housing. This is at the expense of other services the state could provide. We are fortunate that our state government are in the position where they can spend the money on homelessness, however if we are to sustain this level of investment, other funding models are necessary. Governments currently rely on taxes to fund rental subsidies. And Charities rely on donations and philanthropy.

However their alternative funding models. The main options include Tax reform to increase Government revenue – taxing multinationals, broadening the goods and services tax base and increasing rate. There is legislative reform, where there are policies to incentivize the private sector. Planning bonuses, tax incentives for commercial residential (build to rent, co-living) – reduced land and corporate tax rates. Or something slightly more radical such as a Universal Income – providing all citizens with a basic wage to fund private accommodations

In conclusion the Housing First Approach has been proven to work internationally, in Finland and Calgary (Canada), so long as support services and a whole of community approach is adopted. It requires a coordinated approach of the not-for-profit, commercial and government sectors. I believe the current policy is a great approach and WA is fortunate that the State Budget currently allows for increased investment in social and affordable housing. I also believe a greater focus of Federal and State Government reforms that could permit the introduction of a universal income could enhance and replace some current policies and lead to the issue being solved entirely.