The Road Home: Reducing Homelessness

[alSation81]

one might well say that the woeful inadequacies in mental health care has added to the problem

[macca38au]

If cheap bulding land was available, with a timespan of say 2 years, and relaxed council laws regarding owner builder, and allowance to live In caravans, low Income earners, would find themselves on their own land, and even a pensioner would be able to save for a deposit.

You can easily buy a decent kit home for under 100k, so this would easily put total packages to under 150k, and get people on their own spread much quicker...

[PaulAussieTeamScams]

It would be good to get some former homeless people employed... some people stay on the streets as a form of safty, Sad to say but some shelters are a breeding ground for rape, drug dealing or give us your money or else.

The reality of homeless people by single case tells ever new storys...

welfare payments still is needed the good old days at DSS.. their was a worker who would bust their ass to find you a bed.

Now fend for ya self once your looking dirty and unwashed people look down on you.

[shades027]

I have been on their list for a number of years and the latest review I had to go to agents and get letters refusing me a home and prove that I was too poor to pay for private rentals them I had to get medical proof then housing action group letters all this while on a full single person pension the pension alone is proof enough as it is that low it is almost impossible to live on even when your homeless fix the problem double the pension.

[shades027]

well Mr. Rudd this would be great if you really do something about homelessness I am homeless and I am on the housing commission list in qld and Im on a pension but all that has been done for the homeless in your own home state is made it almost impossible to get on the housing commission list the requirements have been toughened up so much its almost impossible to meet them and still be alive

[PaulAustraliaTeam]

This is good stuff but also I hope it is not broken promises, back in 1988 I was involved with others to access the Burdekin report, when I was about 18 or 19.

I have been homeless and stayed in some very dirty places over all being feed rubish bin foods, and bad sanatery and yes it is in Australia.

Paying good money for one blanket and off foods, most of these conditions the RSPCA would be contacted, for a dog where people are sleeping is not the real issue it is where a person is sleeping.

[b0b0maj0]

Sounds good.

[10teeleaf]

yeah its not just people with alcohol problems or drug addictions. it can be other people that have lost jobs or victims of domestic abuse.

But they should offer FREE on the job training for these people so they can find jobs later on. That seems to be the only way to break the cycle. Business's should open their doors and OFFER FREE training and jump on board(various industry's.)

[10teeleaf]

The government's agency's that 'help people find work' is a load of BS. Some of these people have been out of work for long periods of time or will not have the required skills. Will an employer hire these people? obviously not with large gaps of unemployment or no referees. Free training is whats needed. Both parties benefit; business's physically train people/possible employees and gain incentives. People gain confidence and work experience/skills to seek long term employment.

[ashw00t]

I am glad that the Rudd Government is finally attempting to tackle this issue.

It always appears to be off the political agenda. I think that any steps towards curbing homelessness will be a good step to take.

Good luck

[aussiemediamonitors]

1988, Burdekin Report all over again - give me a break - homeless will rise! White papers and committees - give me a break!

Rent would be cheaper but greedy & wealthy owners/investors always have to get top$ - they should be curbed. Rich making money off the poor.

[OinkyDag]

most real estate agents are hard on people like that and thats why they end up on the street half cause the estate agents hard arsed attitudes

[BELTED007]

Finally a Prime Minister that is cleaning up our own back yard before cleaning up other countries homeless problems. 3 Cheers for Kev! We are very proud of you!Thank you for helping our nations forgotten ones:)

[sherwinjtb]

that's a nice idea, definitely wouldn't wanna see a bunch of ppl without a roof over their heads