South Australia is to become just the second Vanguard State in the world, reaffirming its commitment to combatting and ending homelessness.
In signing a State-first Memorandum of Understanding last week (17 February), to remain in effect until 31 December 2025, Premier, Steven Marshall and Minister for Human Services, Michelle Lensink said the memorandum cemented the Government’s aim to stop the cycle of homelessness and better support the vulnerable.
“Adelaide is already a Vanguard city and we are now trailblazers as the world’s second Vanguard state,” Mr Marshall said.
The Vanguard Program, driven by the Institute of Global Homelessness (IGH), is a global movement to end homelessness involving 13 Vanguard cities across six continents, each making a commitment to significantly reduce or end street homelessness in reflection of their local context.
“We unashamedly want better outcomes for our most vulnerable, which is why we delivered bold, Australian-first reforms in the biggest shake-up of the homeless system in more than a decade,” Ms Lensink said.
“Under the reforms, homelessness funding increased and our most vulnerable South Australians finally get the support they need to be housed and stay housing for longer,” she said.
“Signing (the) Memorandum of Understanding reaffirms how serious we are about continuing to work with our homelessness partners to drive down homelessness in our State.”
Executive Director of IGH, Lydia Stazen said the Institute was thrilled that Adelaide’s foundation to address homelessness as a Vanguard city would now expand Statewide.
“South Australia has the mix of what is needed to substantially reduce homelessness in the years to come, including leaders that champion housing and services,” Ms Stazen said.
