Fed: Welfare groups say more affordable housing needed now

AAP General News (Australia)
08-25-2006
Fed: Welfare groups say more affordable housing needed now

Almost 70 thousand children .. most of them under four years old .. have needed crisis
accommodation in a single year.

The startling statistic is contained in the latest snapshot of homelessness in Australia.

And the nation's peak welfare body says it proves that more needs to be done to provide
affordable housing.

The Australian Institute of Health and Welfare report shows that more than 150 thousand
Australians used crisis accommodation in 2004-05.

More than 40 per cent were children .. and most of them were very young .. babies and
toddlers under four years old.

Australian Council of Social Services director ANDREW JOHNSON says the high number
of homeless people in good economic times points to a need to make sure all Australians
can find affordable and safe housing.

AAP RTV pv/mfh/wz/psm/

KEYWORD: HOMELESS (CANBERRA)

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