Anglicare Victoria has welcomed two announcements over the weekend to significantly tackle homelessness and to protect residents of rooming houses from landlords providing sub-standard accommodation.

Following the launch of the Federal Government's white paper on homelessness, CEO of Anglicare Victoria, Dr Ray Cleary, commended Prime Minister Rudd's commitment to reduce homelessness and encouraged all levels of government to now work in unison to implements the proposals as soon as possible.

"The Rudd Government has shown it is prepared to be held accountable by announcing a clear target to halve homelessness and provide a bed for anyone sleeping rough by the year 2020," said Dr Cleary.

"This plan has been called bold and ambitious and that is precisely what we need after years of half-measures."

The new $1.2 billion spending package includes $800 million for homeless support services and $400 million to build much needed community housing.

New funding will also seek to reduce the risk of homelessness and strengthen families to prevent breakdown.

The Victoria Government has also announced new measures to protect people living on the margins and at risk of homelessness.

The new measures will see hundreds of rooming houses come under the watch of local councils to ensure basic standards are met and to prevent residents being forced to live in squalor.

"Tenants of rooming houses often feel powerless to complain when their living conditions don't meet minimum standards," said Dr Cleary.

"This can mean living with no hot water, no door on your room or unsanitary living conditions."

The changes to regulations will require previously unmonitored rooming houses to be registered with local councils and come under scrutiny for a range of health standards.

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