Calls for more affordable housing

Homelessness Week highlights that Everybody Needs a Home. To make this a reality, urgent government investment is needed in more social and affordable homes.

The 2020 Anglicare Rental Affordability Snapshot showed that from over 1,159 listings there were zero affordable and appropriate private rentals for singles on the regular JobSeeker Payment, Youth Allowance or Parenting Payment in the Territory. And data from AHURI shows the NT needs 6,700 more social housing properties to meet current demand.

Anglicare NT supports the Social Housing Acceleration and Renovation Program (SHARP) proposal to build 30,000 new social housing properties across Australia, creating jobs and stimulating post covid-19 economic recovery. The SHARP proposal, backed by peak bodies such as National Shelter and the Community Housing Industry Association, calls for urgent investment on a large scale to create jobs and relieve pressure on the homelessness system.

Anglicare NT provides a wide range of homelessness services to support people to get back on their feet. From emergency assistance, to transitional accommodation, specialised supports and long-term housing. Transitional accommodation sites in Darwin, Katherine and Alice Springs help people take their first step away from homelessness while more permanent options can be explored.

In Alice Springs, we manage a community housing complex which is helping people on low incomes to access longer-term affordable housing. We also manage a small amount of accommodation for people leaving prison and support them to rebuild their lives, reconnect with family and work towards a positive future.

Alongside housing, Anglicare NT provides child and family-friendly case management to build people’s capacity to maintain tenancies, engage in education and employment, and fulfil personal goals.