Student Number: s5020895
Course: 1006HSV Human Services Structures
Course Convenor: Leia Greenslade
Campus: Online
Assignment: Assessment 2 – Written Assignment
Topic: Two articles to compare and contrast
Weight: 30%
Date Due: 1st April, 2015
Word Count: 1233 words
This assignment will identify key points then critically compare and contrast different articles (Farrell, 2012) and (Parsell, 2013) on homelessness. It will ascertain the topic and focal points that surround homelessness. Furthermore it will discuss and link together the similarities and differences of their main argument and policy message within the articles.
There are several key points in articles (Farrell, 2012) and (Parcell, 2013) which suggest that there were two main targets that subsequently shaped the homelessness initiatives and implemented programs. These were to permanently end homelessness or at least aim to halve homelessness in Australia by 2020, and to offer supported accommodation to all rough sleepers who needed it by 2020 (Parcell, 2012, para.18). Furthermore, the Commonwealth Government’s white paper became aware of the need to improve the response of mainstream services for people who are homeless in Australia.
The key point in the article (Parcell, 2013, para.6) states through increased funding into affordable housing, preventative strategies and the adoption of new models of intervention from international contexts, Australia is working towards achieving measurable reductions in homelessness through policy convergence, and drawing lessons from other countries including the UK and USA. Furthermore it is not just about providing a roof but faced ongoing problems with employment, health and financial stability (Farrell, 2012, para.5). One last key point that stands out is that more work must be done to measure, evaluate and improve the impact of programs seeking to end homelessness (Farrell,
References: Farrell, J. (2012). There’s more to homelessness than ‘rooflessness’. The Conversation. Retrieved from http://theconversation.com/theres-more-to-homelessness-than-rooflessness-6225 Parsell, C. (2013). Policies and programmes to end homelessness in Australia: Learning from international practice. International Journal of Social Welfare. 22 (2), 186-194. doi 2397.2012.00884.x