墨尔本市长尼克·里斯（Nick Reece）在2024年10月当选时向两家慈善机构承诺了巨额资金用于无家可归者服务，但这些资金承诺至今未能实现。[1]里斯曾承诺向救世军提供600万美元用于Project 614项目，以及向墨尔本城市使命提供320万美元用于Frontyard青年服务。[1]
对于承诺的违背，里斯后来表示认错，承认"我犯了一个错误，承诺由救世军提供无家可归者服务"。[1]他随后改变了方案，建议提供109,000美元的3个月桥接资金给救世军的项目614，而非原先承诺的金额。[1]此外，救世军每年将获得438,000美元的10年资金用于夜间安全空间项目。[1]这些慈善机构对此感到失望和被欺骗。救世军在该地址已运营130年，自1895年以来一直在当地服务社区。[1]
Melbourne Mayor Nick Reece has acknowledged making a mistake regarding unfulfilled pledges to deliver homelessness support funding, months after committing to substantial donations during his election campaign. When elected in October 2024, Reece promised $6 million to the Salvation Army's Project 614 and $3.2 million to Melbourne City Mission's Frontyard youth services, commitments that remain undelivered as charities await resolution.[1]
Reece has since conceded that he erred in his approach, stating that "I made a mistake by promising that the homelessness services would be delivered by the Salvation Army."[1] Rather than direct funding, he proposed an alternative arrangement: $109,000 in three-month bridge funding for the Salvation Army's project.[1] The Salvation Army separately secured annual funding of $438,000 over ten years for a night safety space initiative.[1]
The proposed bridge funding and alternative arrangements have left the charities and their supporters disappointed, with concerns that commitments made during the campaign have not materialized as promised. The Salvation Army has operated at its current location for 130 years, dating back to 1895.[1]