A performance audit into whether the Department of Health and Human Services (DHHS) has reduced the impact of rough sleeping in Victoria has found the Department unaware if its programs are effective.
In his report, Victoria’s Homelessness Response, Auditor-General Andrew Greaves said the audit examined DHHS and three specialist homelessness services funded by the Department to deliver the Homelessness and Rough Sleeping Action Plan (HRSAP) programs.
“DHHS has a responsibility to oversee how homelessness services spend public money and to gain assurance that they effectively deliver funded services for HRSAP programs,” Mr Greaves said.
“While the audited entities have achieved some positive outcomes for clients, DHHS does not know whether HRSAP programs are reducing the incidence and impacts of rough sleeping in Victoria,” he said.
“Poor planning, a lack of agreed goals and limited performance monitoring mean that some people who could have been housed may still be sleeping rough.”
Mr Greaves said DHHS hadn’t developed an implementation plan to guide the delivery of HRSAP or set clear milestones and responsibilities for the entities delivering HRSAP programs.
He said governance arrangements for HRSAP within the Department were largely informal.
“DHHS does not report to its executive board or the Victorian community on the progress of HRSAP,” he said.
“This diminished oversight and accountability for the delivery of HRSAP is concerning given it is described as ‘the foundation’ of the Government’s strategy to reduce and prevent homelessness.”
Mr Greaves made 13 recommendations to the Department, six to improve planning and implementation for future homelessness initiatives, one to improve guidance and compliance with the program requirements, and six to improve performance monitoring.
The Auditor-General’s 92-page report can be accessed at this PS News link.
