excellence”. This is a goal focused on the way CSD works, which emphasises continuous improvement in staff capacity, service delivery, governance, collaboration and accountability. These goals will support the development and direction for the Homelessness system from 30 June 2013 and beyond. The work that has been done in the ACT under the NPAH has included the development of a number of strong initiatives, which are demonstrating real results in terms of improving outcomes for people at risk of or experiencing homelessness. It must be acknowledged that NPAH funding is a relatively small component of total funding for homelessness responses in the ACT. While individual programs funded by the NPAH have produced some excellent results, this funding source in isolation is not sufficient to achieve the goal of eradicating homelessness. Specific issues that impacted capacity to implement initiatives under the NPAH Changes in the broader economic climate have led to an increased number of families/individuals experiencing financial stress and housing affordability stress. Housing ACT has developed its Central Access Point which sees the collocation of a number of services including Housing Act Gateway, FirstPoint, The Supportive Tenancy Service and Care Financial Service. This provides easier access to clients through collaborative practice in a hub style location. While not funded under the NPAH, this initiative has increased collaborative practice between the Government and Community sector and has led to more positive outcomes for shared clients. Demand for land suitable for development in the ACT has had an impact on the construction of affordable housing and additional public housing in the ACT. The ACT Government is committed to working with private developers to expand the availability of affordable housing in the ACT. This is an ongoing process of negotiation between all stakeholders. The proximity of the ACT to NSW regional centres such as Queanbeyan and Wagga Wagga creates a higher transient cross border population. This means that a high number of people who do not meet residency criteria for public housing assistance are requesting support from Housing ACT and ACT based Specialist Homelessness Services (SHS). This leads to increased service demand which further impacts on the capacity of services to deliver outcomes in the ACT. A number of organisations who operate at a National
excellence”. This is a goal focused on the way CSD works, which emphasises continuous improvement in staff capacity, service delivery, governance, collaboration and accountability. These goals will support the development and direction for the Homelessness system from 30 June 2013 and beyond. The work that has been done in the ACT under the NPAH has included the development of a number of strong initiatives, which are demonstrating real results in terms of improving outcomes for people at risk of or experiencing homelessness. It must be acknowledged that NPAH funding is a relatively small component of total funding for homelessness responses in the ACT. While individual programs funded by the NPAH have produced some excellent results, this funding source in isolation is not sufficient to achieve the goal of eradicating homelessness. Specific issues that impacted capacity to implement initiatives under the NPAH Changes in the broader economic climate have led to an increased number of families/individuals experiencing financial stress and housing affordability stress. Housing ACT has developed its Central Access Point which sees the collocation of a number of services including Housing Act Gateway, FirstPoint, The Supportive Tenancy Service and Care Financial Service. This provides easier access to clients through collaborative practice in a hub style location. While not funded under the NPAH, this initiative has increased collaborative practice between the Government and Community sector and has led to more positive outcomes for shared clients. Demand for land suitable for development in the ACT has had an impact on the construction of affordable housing and additional public housing in the ACT. The ACT Government is committed to working with private developers to expand the availability of affordable housing in the ACT. This is an ongoing process of negotiation between all stakeholders. The proximity of the ACT to NSW regional centres such as Queanbeyan and Wagga Wagga creates a higher transient cross border population. This means that a high number of people who do not meet residency criteria for public housing assistance are requesting support from Housing ACT and ACT based Specialist Homelessness Services (SHS). This leads to increased service demand which further impacts on the capacity of services to deliver outcomes in the ACT. A number of organisations who operate at a National
act_2011-12_annual_report.docx