Subscribe to keep up to date with the latest research, resources, news and events from The Deck.
You can also sign up to Q Shelter’s monthly newsletter, Home Matters.
Victoria’s Homelessness Response
Author/s
Victorian Auditor-General's Office
Abstract
The Victorian Auditor-General’s Office (VAGO) has completed a performance audit of the Department pf Health and Human Services (DHHS) Homelessness and Rough Sleeping Action Plan (HRSAP). The HRSAP is a long-term strategy to reduce the incidence and impacts of homelessness in Victoria.
The audit found that since 2014, the Victorian Government has invested over $1.4 billion to address homelessness. The VAGO examined implementation of key elements of the state government’s $45 million HRSAP, specifically DHHS and three specialist homelessness services (homelessness services) funded by DHHS to deliver HRSAP programs:
- Haven; Home, Safe (Haven)
- Launch Housing (Launch)
- Neami National (Neami)
The VAGO concluded while the audited entities have achieved some positive outcomes for clients, DHHS does not know whether HRSAP programs are reducing the incidence and impacts of rough sleeping in Victoria. Poor planning, a lack of agreed goals and limited performance monitoring mean that some people who could have been housed may still be sleeping rough.