b'Confronting injusticeWe leverage our advocacy objectivesconsumer voice, knowledge and evidence, partnerships and influencing public debateto push for change. We focused on building our capacity,Our collaboration with Victorian Regional initiating research projects and expandingHomelessness Networks and the Council for consumer engagement activities. Homeless Persons continues to put these issues in front of decision-makers.Harm reduction Reducing energy hardshipOne of our major priorities is to advocate for drugWe continued our work on reducingpolicies that reduce the harm of use and keepenergy hardship and poverty and increasing people safe.energy efficient interventions for low-income households by looking into the impact of our In November 2023, the Victorian and Tasmanianenergy support services.Synod of the Uniting Church in Australia adoptedOur research with the Centre for Social Impact the resolutionReducing the harm of prohibitedat Swinburne University of Technology shows substances towards a health-based approach.that many homes in Australia are difficult to heat This resolution guides our work on harmand/or cool. These homes are often occupied byThe Leaving Violence reduction and drug law reform.people who are least able to improve them, such We established an internal drug law reformas renters and low-income homeowners. We found working group with staff and consumers, and that while energy support programs provide healthPayment Programour partnerships with other sector agencies and wellbeing benefits for households, structural and researchers will be pivotal in establishing issues beyond their control keep many low-income a common voice for drug law reform.households trapped in energy hardship.Work is underway to establish minimum standardsA highlight of the year has been the permanent establishmentAccess to safe homes for rental properties and rooming houses inof the Leaving ViolenceProgram. In our work to improve access to safe andVictoria and we continue to push for a National secure homes for all people, we responded toFramework for Minimum Rental Requirements.several State and Commonwealth inquiries andIn May, the Commonwealth GovernmentThis was a notable success for Unitingconsultations including the Senate inquiry into Disrupting disadvantage announced the establishment of the Escapingand the other UnitingCare agencies who the rental crisis in Australia, the ParliamentaryViolence Payment (EVP) as a permanentdelivered the pilot program nationally overinquiry into the rental and housing affordabilityWe are seeing rising demand for emergencyprogram, investing $925 million over fivethe past two years and advocated tirelesslycrisis in Victoria, and the consultation on therelief and financial capability services, and moreyears under the new name, the Leavingfor its extension. National Housing and Homelessness Plan. complex and severe issues driving people intoViolence Program. We will continue to work on the reformsthese situations.This program delivers positive, often life- to the program and do all we can toWe called for urgent and significant action toOverfocusing on individual financial wellbeingsaving outcomes, and supported almostsupport the establishment of the Leaving increase the supply of social and affordableand ad hoc relief support detracts attention60,000 individuals during the two-year pilot.Violence Program. housing, protect renters rights, expand Housingfrom the structural and systemic drivers ofIt provides practical support to assist people First initiatives, improve specialist and wrap- poverty and hardship. We raised these issues in finding safety from violence and begin theFind out morearound homelessness support, and addressat multiple forums, roundtables and meetingsjourney of recovery and healing.financial hardship that drives housing distress.with decision-makers. * The photo accompanying this story is for illustrative purposes only. It is not a photo of the person featured in this story.28 Uniting Vic.Tas and Uniting Housing Annual Report'