The Australian Senate has today called on the Federal Government to take a national approach to homelessness and to develop a National Homelessness Plan. Australian Greens Housing Spokesperson, Senator Mehreen Faruqi, moved the motion which was cosponsored by Labor and supported by the Centre Alliance, One Nation and Senators Hinch and Storer. The Liberals, Nationals and Katter's Australian Party voted against. The motion is copied below.

Senator FARUQI (New South Wales) (15:48): I, and also on behalf of Senator Cameron, move:

That the Senate—

(a) notes that:

(i) the latest census shows that, since 2011, homelessness has risen by 14 per cent,

(ii) the number of people sleeping rough, which is the most visible and extreme form of homelessness, has risen by an alarming 20 per cent since 2011,

The Turnbull government's relentless negativity and inability to focus on the issues that Australians care about has not come about because of the dysfunction of the last three days; it has been a hallmark throughout their time in government. No matter who takes the helm of the Liberal-National government, their policies will continue to wreak havoc on the Australian people. Their destructive agenda is one of a government that works for the big end of town at the expense of its people and the environment.

Originally published in Green Magazine, 25^th May 2018 https://greens.org.au/magazine/housing-needs-medicare-treatment

MEDIA RELEASE - 9 May 2018

Budget 2018 dismisses housing crisis but Senate demands action

The 2018 Budget contained no new measures to significantly improve housing affordability or security. But today the Senate has passed a Greens/ALP motion calling for a desperately needed increase in funding for social housing and homelessness services, and to ensure renters’ rights are protected.

MEDIA RELEASE - 30 April 2018

Anglicare rental affordability survey shows action needed for Illawarra region

The Anglicare Australia Rental Affordability Snapshot has found there were no properties surveyed in the whole Illawarra region affordable for a single person on Newstart or Youth Allowance, even in a share house. For a couple on the minimum wage with two young children and associated tax benefits and the parenting payment, only 4% of surveyed properties were affordable. For a couple on a pension, it was only 3%.

MEDIA RELEASE - 30 April 2018

Anglicare rental affordability survey shows housing action needed for Hunter region

Responding to Anglicare’s latest Rental Affordability Snapshot the Greens have put forward their homes for all plan as the solution to the Hunter’s housing crisis.

MEDIA RELEASE - 22 March 2018

Senate supports national homelessness action plan

Today the Senate has supported a Greens/ALP motion calling on the government to implement a national homelessness action plan, and supporting the launch of the Everybody’s Home campaign.

Senator Lee Rhiannon, Greens spokesperson for Housing congratulated the 26 organisations who have formed the campaign.

MEDIA RELEASE - 9 February 2018

Greens call on Turnbull to end uncertainty over remote housing funding

Responding to reports that the Turnbull government will not be extending funding for remote housing, Greens Housing spokesperson Senator Lee Rhiannon called for the government to consider earmarking specific additional funding in the proposed National Housing and Homelessness Agreement.

“Housing is vital to the well-being of communities and is essential to improving education, health and employment outcomes,“ Senator Rhiannon said.

MEDIA RELEASE -14 December 2017

Homelessness figures show crisis worsening

Responding to today’s release of the Australian Institute of Health and Welfare (AIHW) Annual Report on homelessness services NSW Greens spokesperson on Housing, Jenny Leong MP and Australian Greens spokesperson on Housing, Senator Lee Rhiannon have called for an urgent commitment to a housing first approach by state and federal governments.

Jenny Leong MP said: