Submission to National Housing and Homelessness Agreement Review

Mental health and wellbeing are inextricably linked with access to safe, secure, appropriate and affordable housing. Unfortunately, people experiencing mental ill-health are at higher risk of homelessness than the general population, and Australia’s housing and homelessness systems are falling far short of meeting the level of need.

In this submission to the Productivity Commission’s Review of the National Housing and Homelessness Agreement, Mental Health Australia called for:

• development of a national housing and homelessness strategy
• inclusion of experience of mental ill-health as a vulnerability factor across priority cohorts
• expansion of supported housing programs
• alignment of outcome targets with the National Mental Health and Suicide Prevention Agreement
• clearer roles and responsibilities for governments in the next Agreement, with increased Australian Government investment and accountability.