Australian Plan to Boost Funding to Homeless Mired in the Bureaucracy

The Australian reports today that the government’s plan to increase by $800 million funding for the nearly 105,000 homeless Australians has stalled.  Last year, the paper reports that the prime minister (Kevin Rudd) declared that homelessness was a “national obscenity”, saying “[w]e can do better; we must do better.”  See the story excerpt below:

About 105,000 Australians are homeless on any given night, with data expected out this week likely to show another rise in their numbers.

A landmark Council of Australian Governments meeting last November agreed to boost services for the homeless under a four-year deal that requires the states and territories to collectively match a $400m commonwealth contribution.

“The implementation plan for each state and territory to achieve the objectives of this agreement is to be agreed by no later than 31 March, 2009,” the pact states.

The government’s white paper on homelessness, released in December, pledged the plans “will be in place in the first half of 2009”.

It also promised a new council on homelessness, to report to Mr Rudd on progress towards the targets captured in the partnership deal.

More than six months later, no appointments have been made to the council.

For the full story, please click here.  In the wake of so many charities worldwide decrying the lack of sufficient financial support in these tough economic times, it is refreshing to know that some charities that are meeting critical needs will be helped, even if it is eventually. 

AMT