The Department of Human Services (DHS) is implementing the Victorian Homelessness Action Plan 2011–2015 (VHAP), which is separate from the National Partnership Agreement on Homelessness. VHAP focuses on early intervention and prevention, a better targeting of resources and supporting new approaches to homelessness.
Good governance and management must underpin nationally important partnership agreements involving multiple departments. This includes leadership, oversight of implementation, management of funds and reporting, and ongoing coordination.
The intent of partnership agreements is to achieve mutually agreed outcomes of national importance. The National Partnership Agreement on Homelessness (NPAH) has output and outcome measures, and evaluating specific initiatives can further inform understanding of the effectiveness of this agreement in reducing homelessness.
The Australian Bureau of Statistics defines a person as homeless if they do not have suitable accommodation alternatives and their current living arrangement is in a dwelling that:
The 2011 census reported that 22 789 Victorian people were homeless, a 21 per cent increase since 2006.
Homelessness has a significant impact on both individuals and the community. Homeless people have poorer health, fewer social connections and fewer opportunities for education or employment. This is turn generates considerable cost to government, through its provision of direct support services, demand on health services and lost economic participation.
The 2011 census data indicates that the rate of homelessness in Victoria has increased by 21 per cent since 2006. In 2011, 22 789 Victorian people were homeless on census night, and 16 per cent of these were children under 12.
Ordered to be printed
VICTORIAN GOVERNMENT PRINTER February 2012
PP No 210, Session 2010–13
In accordance with section 16(3) of the Audit Act 1994 a copy of this report, or relevant extracts from the report, was provided to the Department of Health and named hospitals with a request for submissions or comments.
The submission and comments provided are not subject to audit nor the evidentiary standards required to reach an audit conclusion. Responsibility for the accuracy, fairness and balance of those comments rests solely with the agency head.
Responsibility of public sector entities to achieve their objectives, with regard to reliability of financial reporting, effectiveness and efficiency of operations, compliance with applicable laws, and reporting to interested parties.
Establishing control of an asset, undertaking the risks, and receiving the rights to future benefits, as would be conferred with ownership, in exchange for the cost of acquisition.
This Appendix sets out the financial indicators used in this report. The indicators should be considered collectively and are more useful when assessed over time, as part of a trend analysis. The indicators have been applied to the published financial information of the 87 public hospitals for the five year period 2007–08 to 2011–12.