Nominations open for the National Homelessness Services Achievement Awards

Australians are encouraged to nominate outstanding organisations committed to addressing homelessness in the first-ever National Homelessness Services Achievement Awards.

Nominations are open in seven categories which celebrate excellence, quality, innovation and achievement by homelessness services providers.

Minister for Social Housing and Homelessness Mark Arbib said the Awards would recognise the outstanding contributions of organisations around the country that provide assistance to people who are homeless or at risk of homelessness. Senator Arbib said the Australian Government was committed to an ambitious, long-term plan to halve the rate of homelessness and offer supported accommodation to all those who seek it by 2020.

The Award categories are:
• Excellence or innovation in addressing homelessness by an organisation;
• Excellence in the prevention of, or early intervention in, homelessness;
• Outstanding business or philanthropic commitment to addressing homelessness;
• Excellence of innovation in partnership in delivering services;
• Closing the gap; Excellence in addressing Indigenous homelessness;
• Excellence in supporting pathways to employment or education; and
• Excellence in addressing homelessness in a regional, rural or remote location.

To nominate an organisation in the National Homelessness Services Achievement Awards visit www.fahcsia.gov.au.

Nominations for the Awards close on Friday 25 November, with winners to be announced at an awards ceremony in February 2012 at the great Hall, Parliament House, in Canberra.