Helping Hand For Victorians Who Need It Most

Vulnerable Victorians will receive more support, with the Victorian Budget 2016/17 investing in social housing, aged care and services for people with a disability.

This year’s Budget builds on the Andrews Labor Government’s work to improve access and opportunities, making sure every Victorian can reach their potential.

It supports major reform, including the rollout of the National Disability Insurance Scheme (NDIS), commencing 1 July, and the Government’s response to the Royal Commission into Family Violence. The measures to support Victorians with a disability include:

• $45.3 million over the next four years to fund 398 packages for school leavers with a disability

• $60.9 million for the first stage of the NDIS rollout, including funding to support the closure of Colanda Residential Services – Victoria’s last disability institution – and additional investment in supported accommodation facilities
• $3.3 million to support the work of the 2017-2020 State Disability Plan, including greater civic participation, a stronger advocacy sector and building 15 changing rooms for people with a disability
• $500,000 grant to Vision Australia to establish an indoor mobility and training centre for vision impaired Victorians

The Labor Government will also build crisis accommodation and new social housing to support victims of family violence and address a lack of affordable housing.

$10 million will be provided as part of the Rooming House Upgrade Program to improve the living conditions of some of Victoria’s most at risk and vulnerable people.

Also included is $500,000 for the Big Issue to establish their Homes for Homes program, fulfilling our election commitment.

Kangan Youth Foyer in Broadmeadows will also receive $4.5 million over three years to assist young people who are either homeless or at risk of homelessness to continue training and education opportunities.

An additional $152 million housing blitz will ensure women and children escaping family violence have greater access to housing, and includes:

• $25 million over two years for accommodation for the homeless, supporting construction of 180 new units of crisis accommodation and upgrades of existing accommodation
• $21 million over two years to begin redeveloping existing refuges to the new core and cluster model and to provide 24 hour staffing at up to six refuges
• $50 million for rapid housing assistance, providing 130 new social housing properties and leasing for up to 100 dwellings
• $16 million in 2016-17 for rental assistance to help access private rentals
• $40 million over two years to provide flexible tailored responses that meet the individual needs of victims of family violence, including support to stay safe at home

The Government will continue to support seniors with more beds in aged care facilities and increased help for those who choose to stay in the home.

New investment across the aged care sector includes:

• A $57.6 million commitment for the construction of a new 90-bed public aged care facility at St George’s Hospital in Kew including mental health beds
• $29 million for the Home and Community Care program to support frail older people and younger people with disabilities and their carers
• $2.5 million in funding through the Aged Care Land Bank to support culturally-appropriate aged care for Melbourne’s Chinese community

Quotes attributable to Minister for Housing, Disability and Ageing Martin Foley

“We want to make sure every Victorians, regardless of their gender, level of ability, employment status or age, gets the chances they deserve.

“In a surprise to no one, the previous Government cut social housing, reduced support for people facing homelessness and tried to sell off our aged care facilities. We’re reversing that damage.”

“The National Disability Insurance Scheme is the biggest social reform since Medicare. People with disabilities and those who love them fought hard for this reform, and the Andrews Labor Government is committed to delivering it.”