Post-Covid Plan Needed to Reduce Homelessness

Social housing projects could help end the cycle of homelessness while injecting economic activity into the construction sector, according to social welfare advocates.

As Covid-19 restrictions start to ease, the 2,200 people experiencing homelessness temporarily accommodated in hotels are beginning to ask what happens next, says Homelessness New South Wales chief executive Katherine McKernan.

“And homelessness services don’t have answers.”

McKernan says two in three homelessness service clients were unable to access housing prior to the pandemic.

“And so without funding for housing from the New South Wales government there is concern that people will have no option but to return to unsafe situations or end up in cars, couch surfing or on the street.”

The latest Equity Economics report estimates that the continuance of the hotel and additional rental assistance program until a vaccine becomes available would cost a further $182 million, across an 18-month period .

The report titled Supporting Economic Recovery in New South Wales expects the state's economy to shrink by 10 per cent in the next quarter, with increased homelessness estimated to cost between $218 million and $445 million each year as a result of higher health and social service costs.

Related: Social Housing Construction May Lead Covid-19 Recovery

Up to 2,200 people have been accommodated in hotels and motels across New South Wales, in a bid to curb the impact of Covid-19.

This includes women and children escaping domestic and family violence, families, young people and people sleeping rough.

But as restrictions start to ease, Domestic Violence New South Wales’ Renata Field says women escaping domestic violence need permanent housing to ensure a safe environment post-pandemic.

“Many women and their children will still find private rental accommodation is unaffordable or not available which means, with such limited social housing, they will end up either homeless or having to return to a violent home.”

Last month, Australian Council of Social Services flagged the construction of 30,000 social housing dwellings to reduce homelessness and generate jobs as one of the strategies towards economic recovery post Covid-19.