Budget to break cycle of disadvantage

More services for people experiencing homelessness and enhanced initiatives to increase the number of children in permanent and loving homes are provided in the 2021-22 NSW Budget.

Minister for Families, Communities and Disability Services Alister Henskens said the 2021-22 NSW Budget will invest $7.6 billion in services and support to help people break the cycle of disadvantage.

“This Budget backs successful initiatives and innovative new approaches to tackle complex social issues in child protection, homelessness, disability and youth justice,” Mr Henskens said.

“We are working hard to support and protect the most vulnerable people in our community and this Budget will continue to invest in the programs that make a real difference to the lives of people across NSW.

“Together with our non-government partners, the NSW Government is delivering the services and support that is creating stronger communities and changing lives for the better.”

This year, NSW will invest $3.6 billion in the National Disability Insurance Scheme to enable people with a disability have choice and control over the services and support they receive.

Investment in evidence-based early intervention services remains the cornerstone of support for vulnerable children and families in this year’s Budget, with a total of $2.5 billion committed in 2021-22 to support the safety and welfare of vulnerable children and initiatives to help drive down the number of children entering out-of-home care.

To support the increase in permanency for children and young people in out-of-home care, the NSW Government is investing $12 million over four years in practical initiatives aimed at increasing the number of open adoptions and guardianships.

The NSW Government will build on its record investment in homelessness services and support, with a $57 million expansion of the successful Together Home program.

The additional investment will help get more rough sleepers off the streets and into housing with wrap-around support and enable community housing providers to deliver more new homes to support people who need them most.

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