Copy
Monday 14th December 2014
Housing and Homelessness News

Specialist Homelessness Services Report 2013-14 Released
This is the third Annual Report of the Specialist Homelessness Services Collection. Over the past three years, agencies have supported more than half a million Australians who were homeless or at risk of homelessness. In 2013-14, Specialist Homelessness Services assisted around 254,000 clients, a 4% increase from the previous year. The report describes the clients that have received specialist homelessness support, the assistance they sought and were provided, and the outcomes achieved for those clients. For the first time, data about clients with a disability is included in the report. Click here to view the report, and scroll down this page to read the associated media release. 

Reform of the Federation White Paper - Roles and Responsibilities in Housing and Homelessness
A White Paper titled 'Roles and Responsibilities in Housing and Homelessness' has been released recently. It traces the evolution of Commonwealth and State and Territory involvement in housing assistance and homelessness services, examines pressures on current services and sets out questions to guide consideration of reform options. A Green Paper setting out options for reform will be published in the second half of 2015, ahead of the publication of the White Paper in 2016.  The Green Paper will invite the public to make written submissions on the proposals put forward. Shelter Tas will be working with the National Peaks on a response and will keep you informed on the progress.

2015-16 Budget Submissions
Shelter Tas has been invited to put in a budget submission for 2015-16. A letter received from the Treasurer advised that there will be no general 'call for submissions' on the upcoming budget, so if you or your organisation would like to provide input, we would be happy to consider it for the Shelter Tas submission on behalf of our members. You can call the office on 6224 5488 if you would like to discuss the submission, and we will keep you informed of any developments.

Cert IV Training Units Through Shelter Tas
Don't forget to enroll in the Cert. IV in Social Housing training units, resuming in early February 2015. Places are limited, so be quick! Go to the 'Events and Training' section of the eNews for more details.  


Joined Up Human Services Update - September 2014
The Tasmanian Government made an election commitment to deliver a more joined-up human services support system for the benefit of Tasmanians in need of services, and to deliver a better experience and outcomes. The Department of Health and Human Services (DHHS) has initiated this project in response to the State Government's election commitment, and any reform resulting from this work will be designed in close collaboration with community sector organisations, peak bodies and government agencies, as well as with clients who have experience of the human services system. Go to the DHHS website to read about progress so far in the September update.
 


Factoid of the Week I Commonwealth Rent Assistance
As at 30th June 2013, about 1.3 million Australians received Commonwealth Rent Assistance. CRA reduced the number of low  income households in housing stress by 27%.

Australian Institute of Health and Welfare 2014. Housing assistance in Australia 2014. Cat. No. HOU 275. Canberra: AIHW.

Media Releases

More homelessness assistance provided for domestic violence and other housing crises
Australian Institute of Health and Welfare. Monday 15th December 2014. Click here.

White paper on the Reform of the Federation
Prime Minister of Australia. Friday 12th December 2014. Click here.

'Ice' the first priority for government's reshaped drugs and alcohol council
Assistant Minister for Health. Sunday 14th December 2014. Click here.
 
Research and Articles

Tax reform could fix Tasmania's low-cost housing shortage, reports find
ABC News, Tuesday 9th December 2014. Click here (includes comment from National Shelter EO Adrian Pisarski).

Unscrambling the federalism omelette: but will people buy the recipe?
The Conversation, Friday 12th December 2014. Click here.

Speaking with: Nicole Gurran on affordable housing (audio)
The Conversation, Friday 12th December 2014. Click here.

Tax breaks on housing, shares and super distort behaviour, benefit rich: Murray
Sydney Morning Herald, Sunday 7th December 2014. Click here.

Financial system inquiry's take shows thinking that's out of the box
Financial Review, Sunday 7th December 2014. Click here.

Changes in the supply of affordable housing in the private rental sector for lower income households, 2006-11
AHURI, December 2014. Click here.

Lonely over Christmas: a snapshot of social isolation in the suburbs
The Conversation, Wednesday 10th December 2014. Click here.

 
Events and Training
 
Cert. IV in Social Housing Training Units
The Centre for Training in Social Housing (CTSH) is offering seven units of accredited training for study. The units are available to Shelter Tas members from the affordable housing and homelessness sector at a subsidised rate of 80%, supported by Skills Tasmania (the employer contribution is just 20% of the total cost). Units can be taken individually, or as part of the Certificate IV in Social Housing and a full list of the available units and study details are available on our website. Most units are offered via e-learning, which makes them accessible to anyone, State-wide. Experienced trainers will provide ongoing support for e-learning units. There are only 12 places available in each unit, so enroll now to make sure you don’t miss out on this excellent opportunity. The next units of study are ‘Work within a relevant legal and ethical framework’, scheduled for 19th February 2015 in Hobart and ‘Manage tenancy rent, charges and rental arrears’ via e-Learning starting 9th February 2015 for 4 weeks. Please complete the enrollment form (go to our website) and return it to trainingenquiries@communityhousing.org.au.  If you have any questions, please contact Kevin Saide, CTSH Training Manager on (02) 9281 1744 ext 215 or the Shelter Tas office on (03) 6224 5488. 

Australasian Housing Institute - Excellence in Housing Awards
Nominations for the 2015 Australasian Excellence in Housing Awards are open until midnight on 28 February 2015. 
The awards feature eight categories:

Individual Awards: 
Outstanding Achievement, Inspirational Team Member.
Team Awards: Excellence in Social Housing, Leading Innovation, Leading Housing Development Project, Leading Asset Management, Leading Tenants Engagement Practice.
Tenant Award: Tenant Led Initiative.
A category winner will be selected in each Australian jurisdiction and in New Zealand. Finalists will automatically be entered in the Australasian Awards. The National award winners will then be announced during the National Housing Conference 2015 in Perth and a ceremony will be held after the Conference welcome reception on the 28th October 2015 at 7:30 pm. Full information about the awards, selection criteria and conditions of entry are contained in the brochure and the nomination form. They are also available on the AHI website.   
 
Other News
 
SCHCADS Equal Remuneration Order: Third Installment 2014
The new rates of pay apply from the first full pay period commencing on or after 1st December 2014, and you can find information on the Equal Remuneration Order and pay changes from the TasCOSS website

Tasmanian Women's Council Seeking New Members

Tasmanian Women's Council members provide advice to the Minister for Women and contribute to the development of strategies to address inequality and increase the participation of women in all aspects of society. They also work to represent and promote the diverse interests of women in Tasmania. If you are interested in become a member, please submit your Expression of Interest by
 Monday 19th January. Click here for more information.

Bachelor of Arts with Professional Honours (Human Services Practice)
The University of Tasmania's Bachelor of Arts with Professional Honours (Human Services Practice) course is offered as a part-time program for students with a maximum of three years for completion.  The first core unit, Professional Communication in Human Services, starts on 29th January. Click here to find out more.

Beds 4 Ebola
Beds 4 Ebola are seeking donations to support the supply of specially designed beds to nations affected by Ebola. The comfortable, compact and disposable beds are inexpensive, and a donation of $30.00 will send a bed to an Ebola patient in West Africa. If you would like to donate, go to the Beds4Ebola website or visit any ANZ bank branch.
 
Share
Tweet
Forward
View this email in your browser
Copyright © 2014 Shelter Tasmania Inc., All rights reserved.
This eNews has been sent to you because you have indicated that you are interested in receiving updates and information from Shelter Tas.

Thanks to all contributors for their submissions and feedback to the eNews. As content comes from many different sources, views expressed are not necessarily those of Shelter Tas. We welcome your input to the eNews - please send suggestions or articles to comm@sheltertas.org.au for consideration.

unsubscribe from this list    update subscription preferences 
Shelter Tas is supported by the Department of Health and Human Services.