Today the ASU launched our campaign with members across Australia to Save Homelessness Services and demand the Federal Government – Don’t Close the Door!
The Federal Government is set to cut funding to homelessness services by over $50million.
This is because they are refusing to continue to cover the costs of Equal Pay for homelessness workers that union members won in 2012. Funding that the Federal Government has agreed to provide since 2012.
If this support is withdrawn, hundreds of workers in frontline homelessness services will lose their jobs and many critical services will be cut. This at a time when homelessness services are experiencing a surge a demand due to the impact COVID-19 on jobs and on our economy.
Homelessness services were already under the pump before COVID 19 but now are under extreme pressure This is because they are refusing to continue to cover the costs of Equal Pay for homelessness workers that union members won in 2012. Funding that the Federal Government has agreed to provide since 2012.
If this support is withdrawn, hundreds of workers in frontline homelessness services will lose their jobs and many critical services will be cut. This at a time when homelessness services are experiencing a surge a demand due to the impact COVID-19 on jobs and on our economy.
These critical services support people who are homeless or at risk of homelessness, including vulnerable groups such as women and children escaping domestic and family violence.
If the Federal Government goes ahead with this $50m cut, critical services will be closed and jobs lost across Australia.
We are calling on the Morrison Government to ensure they continue (and indexes) the existing level of funding for these critical community services so workers are paid properly and able to continue to focus on supporting some of the most vulnerable people in our community.
Find our briefing note attached 
ASU Save Homelessness Services Briefing - 16 March 2021.