Assistant Minister for Community Housing, Homelessness and Community Services

Luke Howarth MP

During his tenure as Assistant Minister for Community Housing, Homelessness and Community Services from May 2019 to December 2020, Luke Howarth MP was dedicated to addressing some of Australia’s most pressing social challenges. His focus was on improving access to affordable housing, reducing homelessness, and strengthening community services to support vulnerable Australians.

Howarth worked tirelessly with local governments, housing providers, and non-profit organisations to create sustainable housing solutions. His commitment to alleviating homelessness saw him champion programs that provided not only housing but also wrap-around services such as mental health support, employment assistance, and community outreach. He understood that tackling homelessness required a multifaceted approach, involving collaboration across sectors and tailored support to address the underlying issues.

 

In addition to housing, Howarth was a strong advocate for improving community services across Australia. He promoted initiatives aimed at supporting families, individuals in crisis, and those facing social disadvantage, ensuring that essential services were accessible to those in need. His efforts were centred on creating stronger, more resilient communities, particularly during the challenges of the COVID-19 pandemic.

Luke Howarth’s time as Assistant Minister reflected his passion for community wellbeing and his dedication to improving the lives of Australians in need. His policies and initiatives during this period laid the groundwork for lasting improvements in housing affordability and community support services.

During Luke Howarth’s time as Assistant Minister for Community Housing, Homelessness and Community Services:

Homelessness statistics actually fell. 

  • In the 2016 census there was 8,200 people that were homeless. These are people that are rough sleeping, living in tents in 2016. In 2021 there were 7,636 so despite an increase in the population acute homelessness dropped.
  • People in severely crowded dwellings reduced in 2021. In the census there was 51,088 people living in severely overcrowded dwellings and after five years of the Coalition Government that fell to 47,895.
  • People staying temporarily with others, referred to couch-surfing, reduced under the Coalition Government from 17,725 in 2016 down to 16,597.
SHADOW MINISTRY

I have the privilege of representing Petrie and being able to bring forward the issues that matter most to you. Here are some speeches made in Parliament. If there is something you would like me to raise in Parliament, please email me at Luke.Howarth.mp@aph.gov.au

Below are some speeches completed in Parliament.

Click the button below to see the speeches I made in Parliament.

More on Homelessness

To find out more on Homelessness and available services, please click the link below