The Department of Social Services recently welcomed consultation submissions on the development of the National Housing and Homelessness Plan, a 10-year strategic plan to inform housing and homelessness policy in Australia.
The inquiry website can be accessed here.
AHPA submitted a written response which broadly highlighted the following key principles:
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Access to safe and secure housing is a human right as part of the right to an adequate standard of living
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Access to appropriate, affordable, safe, and secure housing is a key social determinant of health
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Poor quality, unaffordable housing and homelessness have adverse effects on physical and mental health
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Sufficient affordable and appropriate housing would provide significant positive impacts.
The submission was developed by AHPA members Dr Joanne Flavel, Dr Janette Young, Chijindu Etalong, Dr Caroline Adams and Dr Gemma Crawford.
Read AHPA’s submission in full here.