In the wake of National Missing Persons week ACT Shadow Minister for Housing Nicole Lawder is calling on the ACT Labor government needs to work to increase housing affordability in Canberra.
“There is no doubt that homelessness is an issue in Canberra and I implore the government to focus on improving housing options for vulnerable Canberrans,” Ms Lawder said.
Ms Lawder explained that homelessness has complex interactions with other parts of a person’s life. For example, it is difficult to get or maintain a job if you are homeless. A quarter of people experiencing homelessness were charged with a criminal offence in the past six months while one in three of those in prison reported being homeless the month before.
“This is an issue that can’t be swept under the carpet. More needs to be done and I will continue to fight for those at most disadvantage,” Ms Lawder commented.