A great announcement from the Australian Government regarding a new approach to data collection about homelessness in "Australia Fair". The paradigm shift is from a focus on service providers to a focus on people’s experiences of homelessness.
The press release includes the following: ‘Previously, homelessness was measured by the number of services provided to people experiencing homelessness or at risk of experiencing homelessness,’ said Mr Geoff Neideck of the AIHW’s Housing and Homelessness Group.
‘This new data collection will provide better information about people who are homeless, the pathways people take in and out of homelessness and the kinds of work homelessness agencies do.’
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For the first time, children will be counted as individual clients and family information will be more accurate.
It is also encouraging to read details of the Government's homelessness strategy, which seems to recognise the choice of 'rough sleeping' as well as the need to address 'involuntary' homelessness. The goal is to decrease the rate of homelessness by 2020 and to "provide supported accommodation to all rough sleepers who seek it."
A great step forward in data collection to support healthy public policy. And a welcome recognition of the rights of children to be counted, considered, provided for and protected.
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