Inaugural National Homelessness Services Achievement Awards Announced

Seven community organisations from across Australia, including Kids Under Cover, have been recognised for their work in preventing and addressing homelessness at the inaugural National Homelessness Services Achievement awards in Canberra today.

The Awards were delivered by the new Minister for Social Housing and Homelessness Brendan O’Connor and showcase the quality, innovation and dedication of homelessness services.

The Minister says the awards also recognise the very important, yet sometimes less direct contribution that many Australian organisations make to addressing homelessness – such as philanthropic contributions, research, preventative and early intervention services, and service partnerships.

The National Homelessness Services Achievement awards recipients:

• Excellence or innovation in addressing homelessness by an organisation
  Maroondah Halfway House, VIC
• Excellence in the prevention of, or early intervention in, homelessness
  Rural Housing Network – Early Intervention to Sustain Affordable Housing Program, VIC
• Outstanding business or philanthropic commitment to addressing homelessness
  Kids Under Cover in partnership with Hocking Stuart Real Estate VIC
• Excellence or innovation in partnerships in delivering services
  Wentworth Community Housing – Project 40 Supportive Housing, NSW
• Closing the Gap: Excellence in addressing Indigenous homelessness
• Children Services Support Unit- Wadeye Women’s Safe House Program, Wadeye, NT
• Excellence in supporting pathways to employment or education
  Southern Youth and Family Services Association Inc, NSW
• Excellence in addressing homelessness in a regional, rural or remote location
  Life without Barriers- Assertive Outreach Services Program, Riverland, SA

The Minister said: “We know that Government cannot tackle homelessness alone, which is why the work done by the organisations who have been recognised today is so important, and I congratulate all the award recipients, finalists and nominees for their achievements.”

“We had an overwhelmingly positive response to the call for nominations which is a testament to the great work already being achieved and I look forward to seeing more,” O’Connor said.

“Again I would like to applaud all nominees, finalists and award recipients, whose commitment, innovation and creativity in the homelessness sector are helping to break the cycle of homelessness.”