A Pledge Worth Imitating: Can Our PM End Rough Sleeping?

The recent pledge by Britain’s new Prime Minister Andy Burnham to eradicate rough sleeping within his term in office has sparked a mix of excitement and skepticism. While some view this promise as yet another unfulfilled election vow, it is worth examining the merits of setting bold targets and making them public.

In Australia, several governments have made grand promises about addressing homelessness, but few have been willing to put their money where their mouth is. The National Housing Accord aims to build 1.2 million well-located homes over five years, but its focus on supply without attention to the demand side of homelessness has led many to question its effectiveness.

Rough sleeping numbers continue to rise despite efforts from governments and service providers. According to the 2021 Census, around 7,600 individuals were in this precarious situation, a figure likely increased since then due to factors like the COVID-19 pandemic. With a population of 28 million, ending rough sleeping is an achievable goal – but only if our leaders are willing to put their weight behind it.

Erin Longbottom, National Director of Homelessness at St Vincent’s Health Australia, argues that our Prime Minister should follow Burnham’s lead by making a similar pledge. By setting public targets and making them accountable, governments can mobilize resources and bureaucracy in a focused effort against complex social problems like homelessness.

The Hawke and Keating governments’ reforms around family assistance payments made significant strides in reducing child poverty, although it was not entirely abolished. Similarly, while Rudd’s promise to halve homelessness was ultimately unmet, his government invested heavily in addressing the issue. These examples demonstrate that setting public targets can have a positive impact – even if failure against an ambitious target leaves a greater legacy than doing nothing.

Functional zero rough sleeping is a point where homelessness becomes rare, brief, and non-recurring. It’s not about eradicating homelessness entirely, but rather creating a system where individuals are supported to find permanent housing solutions.

The National Agreement on Social Housing and Homelessness provides an opportunity for our Prime Minister to attach an end-rough-sleeping target and connect funding to progress. This would create real accountability as governments, service providers, and communities work together towards the same goal.

Some argue that tackling homelessness is a state and territory issue outside the Prime Minister’s purview. However, this ignores the critical role the Commonwealth can play in coordinating national efforts and leveraging resources to drive change.

The evidence is clear: with the right policy settings and a coordinated response, homelessness is solvable. It’s time for our leaders to acknowledge that setting bold targets is not just about making headlines – it’s about creating meaningful change on the ground.

Progress will be incremental, and it may take decades before outcomes trickle down to making a difference for individuals sleeping on the streets. But with a clear vision, strong leadership, and a commitment to tackling this complex issue head-on, we can make significant strides towards creating a society where homelessness is no longer a pressing concern.

The question remains: will our Prime Minister seize this opportunity to make a pledge that truly matters? Or will they opt for the status quo – doing nothing in the hope of avoiding criticism? The choice is theirs – but one thing is certain: Australians are watching, and we won’t be silenced.