Senator ARBIB (New South Wales—Minister for Sport, Minister for Indigenous Employment and Economic Development and Minister for Social Housing and Homelessness) (15:03): All up, the government is providing almost 80,000 homes for families. Of course, in this country we do have a challenge with homelessness, and it is important that people and families who are homeless have access not only to housing but also to services. Under the government's agreements with the states and territories we are investing $1.1 billion in over 180 new or expanded initiatives to help reduce homelessness through the national partnership agreement. Of these new or expanded initiatives, 26 will address homelessness amongst families and children. The Rent Connect program provides information, advice and referrals to assist families to secure a property in the private rental market. Already it has provided more than 70,000 instances of support to Australian families.