Page 1571 - Week 08 - Wednesday, 27 September 1989
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appropriate transitional support accommodation and support services. The new agreement will enable funding to be more efficiently provided to the most needy groups in the ACT.
The problems with youth homelessness in the ACT were also clearly recognised in this Government's election policy which promised to remove restrictions on people under 18 obtaining Housing Trust houses and to make houses available for this group, to improve publicity on housing options for 16- and 17-year-olds to help them find appropriate assistance, and to address the recommendations of the Burdekin inquiry in developing new measures for government consideration.
I asked the housing policy review to give priority to youth homelessness, which is a very real problem, with real economic and social costs to young people and society. Housing services for young people should aim to reduce housing related poverty by providing affordable and secure medium- to long-term independent housing and group housing options for those unable to live independently. Under the Commonwealth-State housing agreement, I will be advising the Commonwealth that $655,000 will be spent in the ACT this year for a crisis accommodation program, an increase of over 130 per cent over the previous year.
The Commonwealth Government has also provided more money to develop up-to-date medium- and long-term youth accommodation under the crisis accommodation program. We will establish a new scheme to allow single people to share group houses. Some of these will be sponsored by community groups who already run shelters. Community groups will receive up to $2,000 to assist with whitegoods and furnishings. There will also be a range of other measures to assist young people. Firstly, the Housing Trust will appoint a youth housing officer to help young tenants. Secondly, we will increase the training effort for Housing Trust staff. Thirdly, an information package will be prepared on Housing Trust services for young people. Fourthly, the priority housing procedures will be reviewed to ensure that there is no discrimination against young people. Fifthly, the rent relief and bond assistance schemes are to be amended so that, where the applicant agrees, cheques can be made payable to the agent or landlord. Finally, $35,000 will be provided to develop housing education and living skills kits for use by youth workers.
These new steps expand the range of youth services already operated by the ACT Housing Trust. They include a singles housing register which enables 16- and 17-year-olds to register and be allocated individual housing, and rent relief of up to $50 per week and bond assistance of up to $600. Mr Speaker, the Government has moved quickly and decisively to take action on youth housing. The proposals I have outlined will enable a comprehensive ACT housing response to the recommendations of the Burdekin report and will fulfil the ACT Government's election commitments in the area of youth housing.
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