As COVID pandemic continues, ACT Greens call on Government to immediately house all rough sleepers

Canberra’s rough sleepers should be immediately housed to help prevent the spread of COVID-19, the ACT Greens said today.

“We all need a safe and secure place to live. It’s not acceptable that in a community as prosperous as ours, there should be any Canberrans sleeping rough or experiencing homelessness - especially during a time of crisis, as we’re experiencing with COVID,” said Rebecca Vassarotti, candidate Housing spokesperson today.

“We understand that there are currently around 65 rough sleepers in Canberra. At a time of unprecedented crisis, it is entirely possible to provide housing for each and every one of these more vulnerable people in our community.

“Those experiencing homelessness are particularly vulnerable to coronavirus. It’s completely inconsistent to be telling people to stay inside to prevent the spread of the disease when not everyone has a house to isolate in.

“The last thing we want is for some of our most vulnerable community members to contract COVID-19.

“The recent de-funding of the Tenants Union - a decision opposed by the Greens - has made life even tougher for those experiencing homelessness to get the support they need.

“Meanwhile, Safe Shelter has had to stop providing shelter due to the social distancing rules of COVID-19. You can’t have the only place rough sleepers can go to escape Canberra’s sub zero winter close without offering an immediate alternative.

“The ACT Government has recently called for a summit with the community sector and housing stakeholders. While we endorse this as an overall strategy to end homelessness in the ACT, we can not use this as an excuse to leave people on the streets right now.”

It comes as the Victorian Government has acted to provide rough sleepers a safe haven in repurposed aged-care facilities. Meanwhile, the SA Government has already moved to house rough sleepers in empty commercial accommodation. 

When it comes to solving Canberra’s housing crisis and making Canberra inclusive for all, the Greens have the solutions. That’s why we have:

• Urged the government to deliver more affordable community, social and public housing as a matter of priority

• Secured an ACT Government commitment to produce an economic analysis to determine what savings could be made by providing supportive housing to people experiencing homelessness

• Urged the government to deliver more crisis and affordable housing, including expanding the Common Ground site in Gungahlin

• Introduced a motion into the Assembly calling on the government to maintain a minimum proportion of social housing in the ACT – a proposal ACT Labor did not support

• Advocated for a successful scheme securing a land tax exemption for landlords if their properties are rented out through a registered community housing provider at or less than 75% of market rent

• Made it easier for people who require accessible housing to find appropriate homes.