‘I made a mistake’: Charities still waiting for Reece’s promised $9 million for the homeless

Lord Mayor Nick Reece has admitted to making a mistake in his promise to fund homelessness services, but both The Salvation Army and Melbourne City Mission continue to wait for the $9 million in promised aid. Reece, who claimed during his campaign to be elected lord mayor in October 2024 that he would allocate $6 million to The Salvation Army’s Project 614 and $3.2 million to Melbourne City Mission’s Frontyard Youth Services, has not yet fulfilled these commitments. His admission came after mounting pressure from local charities and community leaders over the lack of progress on the issue. Reece, known for his early involvement with the Salvation Army, recounted that his first act as lord mayor was participating in a shift at the organization's outreach center on Bourke Street. He described this as both a personal commitment and a symbolic gesture meant to reflect his values. However, the Salvation Army’s leader, Brendan Nottle, has expressed disappointment, stating that the organization has been left with broken promises. Nottle noted that while Reece emphasized his connection to the charity, the failure to deliver the promised funding has raised concerns about the sincerity of his commitment. The Salvation Army and Melbourne City Mission were informed of the funding pledges in written statements on Reece’s website. These documents outlined specific allocations intended to address youth homelessness and provide critical support services. Despite these assurances, neither organization has received the promised financial assistance. Hani Akaoui, president of the Bourke Hill Precinct, has suggested that moving the Salvation Army’s community support hub away from the central business district might be necessary due to ongoing challenges related to urban space and accessibility. He argued that alternative locations could better serve the organization’s mission. Nottle criticized the handling of the funding issue, describing it as “underhanded.” He pointed out that Reece had previously stated, “I’m only one vote,” when discussing the $6 million allocation, a comment that was not included in the initial election promises or communications with the Salvation Army prior to the election. This led to confusion regarding whether the other members of Reece’s “Team Nick” would support the funding initiative. Nottle noted that despite repeated discussions, Reece has not proposed the funding as a formal motion for council approval. Paul Wappett, chief executive of Melbourne City Mission, expressed frustration over the delay, emphasizing the urgent need for resources given the rising rates of youth homelessness. He highlighted the importance of assertive outreach and peer worker programs, which require immediate investment. Despite the current situation, Wappett remains hopeful that the City of Melbourne will honor its commitment, noting the potential impact such funding could have on the lives of vulnerable individuals. Following inquiries from local media, Reece published a notice of motion on the council’s website proposing an increase in food security initiatives within the city’s budget. In a statement to The Age, he acknowledged his error in promising direct funding to the Salvation Army and clarified that he believed a public tender process should be required before allocating large sums of public money. He added that Melbourne City Mission had not applied for funds under this proposed process. As the situation unfolds, the focus remains on whether the council will take action to resolve the funding shortfall and how the delayed support will affect the organizations and communities reliant on these services. The outcome of this dispute could influence future policy decisions and public trust in local leadership.