The Supported Accommodation Assistance Act 1994 (SAAP Act) establishes a national framework for jointly funded homelessness and supported accommodation services between the Commonwealth and State Governments.
While SAAP mandates co-funding between the Federal and State Governments, Queensland’s implementation is highly restrictive, excluding many boarding houses and supported accommodation providers from government support.
SAAP Act (Federal Model) | Queensland Model | Disparities & Shortfalls |
---|---|---|
Jointly funded by the Federal & State Governments. | Queensland only funds Community Housing Providers (CHPs). | Queensland does not distribute SAAP-equivalent funds to private boarding houses or supported accommodation. |
Supports crisis, transitional, and long-term accommodation. | Only CHPs receive funding; crisis and boarding houses get no support. | Many critical services are excluded, creating service gaps. |
Encourages flexible partnerships between government and private providers. | Funding is limited to government-approved providers. | Private providers cannot apply for funding, preventing new entrants from helping the crisis. |
Obligates States to report on homelessness funding outcomes. | No transparency in Queensland’s funding allocations. | No accountability for why supported accommodation is not funded. |