FPDN Policy Explainer: The National Housing and Homelessness Plan Bill 2024

FPDN Policy Explainer  

We welcome The National Housing and Homelessness Plan Bill 2024 (No. 2) with the requirement for regular review but suggest the government adopt our recommendations within our Submission to the Senate Economics Legislation Committee.

The main aim of the bill is to create a requirement in law for the government to create a Housing and Homelessness Plan with regular review.

Key Issues

• First Nations people are twice as likely to experience disability than the rest of the Australian population and its estimates that homeless rates for First Nations people are 8 times the rate for non-First Nations which is 306.8 compared with 34.9 per 10,000 population and homelessness amongst our youth (18 and younger) is estimated to be about 4 in 10 First Nations.
• First Peoples and those with a disability are disproportionately affected by inadequate housing and lived experiences of homelessness, compounded by a lack of adequate data that would allow target programs to address these needs.

Our Recommendations 

• There must be dedicated First Nations disability representation on any and all consultation mechanisms created under the Plan.
• The National Housing Consumer Council to include a First Nations person with lived experience of disability, housing need and/or homelessness.
• The National Housing and Homelessness Plan monitoring and reporting mechanisms must include measures of significance for First Nations people with a disability, at a minimum this would include linking with major disability housing related policy, such as the Disability Royal Commission and the Australia Disability Strategy. 
• There must be due consideration given to the interface of ‘mainstream’, Supported Independent Living (SIL) and NDIS Housing related supports.

Are you experiencing a housing crisis? 

If you are a First Nations Person living with a disability and experiencing a housing crisis, did you know that we have a free and discreet advocacy support service and if you would like to speak to one of our advocates, please dial 1800 0006 455.