Tas Audit Office Reports The Tasmanian Audit Office has released reports on the Provision of Social Housing, and on the Funding of Common Ground Tasmania. These reports are available at www.audit.tas.gov.au. Summary reports are also available. In response to the Provision of Social Housing Audit, Michael Pervan, the Secretary of the Department of Health and Human Services, said “I am pleased to be able to say that the report confirms that the Department of Health and Human Services (DHHS) has a solid understanding of the supply and demand issue, and service gaps for housing and homelessness…The findings of the Provision of Social Housing report are supported by DHHS and confirm the directions and activities that we are undertaking to address housing and homelessness gaps into the future.”
Shelter Tas' Submission to the Healthy Tasmania Five Year Strategic Plan Community Consultation Draft Shelter Tas made a submission to the Tasmanian Government’s Healthy Tasmania Five Year Strategic Plan Community Consultation Draft. We demonstrated that any effective preventive health strategy must include housing as one of the critical social determinants of health. Along with the cost of housing, the location and amenity of a person or family’s home can improve mental health and social well-being, enable better nutrition and improve opportunities for physical activity. Click here or go to the Shelter Tas website to read the full Submission.
New AHURI Website The Australian Housing and Urban Research Institute (AHURI) has launched a new website, designed to make finding and understanding evidence in the fields of housing, homelessness and urban research easier.
The website has been re-designed with the goal of better connecting people with a vast catalogue of research and to better connect that research with the important policy debates. The website will also lead to better comprehension of and engagement with research findings, thereby enhancing policy and practice development across Australia.
Go to www.ahuri.edu.au to visit the website and discover the new features, and to share your thoughts on the new website, send an email to information@ahuri.edu.au.
National Shelter Response to the Treasurer's Call for Pre-Budget Submissions 2016-17 In this National Shelter document recently submitted to Federal Government, it is stated that the latest figures calculated using Household Income and Income Distribution 2009-10, across Australia show more than one in ten households are living in housing stress. That equates to over 850,000 households. The highest rates of housing stress are felt by renters and first home buyers with 26% of renters and 15% of first home buyers living in housing stress (Australians for Affordable Housing, 2012). This research also found that one in five people aged 15 to 25 were also living in housing stress, a level that is significantly higher than amongst the general population. In 2013, 40.1% of households receiving CRA were living in rental stress (Productivity Commission, 2014), which demonstrates the inadequacy of the payment to ensure people do not experience financial hardship and poverty. The National Housing Supply Council, the most reliable data source on housing supply, in it’s final report estimated a shortfall of affordable rental housing available to households on the lowest 40% of household incomes as 539,000 properties. (Taken from the National Housing Supply Council, Housing Supply and Affordability – Key Indicators, 2012, p22-27 & p47).
Homelessness continues to grow in Australia, increasingly due to a lack of affordable housing, and is now estimated at over 105,000 people on any given night. In 2011-2012 there were 229,247 people who received support from specialist homelessness services with an average of 19,128 people accommodated each night. There were also 17,845 children under 10 years of age, with 402 children sleeping rough.
To read more about these figures, please click this link: Homelessness Australia Fact Sheet.
To read National Shelter’s full response to the Treasurer’s call, click here: Pre-budget Submission 2016-2017.
Human Services Dashboard Housing Tas has new format for reporting – the Human Services Dashboard, which replaces ‘Your Human Services Progress Chart’. The Dashboard provides headline indicators and supporting statistics, in order to provide transparent and timely information on the Human Services system to ensure accountability and openness.
You can find the Dashboard at www.dhhs.tas.gov.au/humanservicesstats and you can email stats@dhhs.tas.gov.au to find out more about the Human Services Dashboard statistics.
Parity Magazine Call for Contributions Contributions to The Council to Homeless Persons' magazine, Parity, are closing soon. The theme for the March edition is “Beyond Emergency Food: Responding to Food Insecurity and Homelessness”. All contributions should be submitted as Word attachments to an email addressed to parity@chp.org.au. Contributions can be up to 1,600 words, which will be a double page spread. Single page articles can be up to 800 words in length. Contributions of a greater length should be discussed with the Parity Editor. If you have any questions about contributing to this edition please contact the Parity Editor by email parity@chp.org.au or ring (03) 8415 6200. Detailed information on referencing and writing guidelines for Parity can be found here. All contributions need to be submitted by COB Friday March 11th 2016.
Factoid of the Week
The combination of negative gearing and the Capital Gains Tax discount is distorting the Australian residential property market, encouraging speculative behaviour and being used by predominantly high income households as a tax shelter.
The Australia Institute (via Shelter WA).
Media Releases
Affordable Housing Strategy a commitment to housing more Tasmanians in need Minister for Human Services, 25 February 2016. Click here.
ALP gets serious on housing tax reform National Shelter, 16 February 2016. Click here.
Ask Izzy to direct vulnerable Tasmanians to the services they need Minister for Human Services, 21 February 2016. Click here.
Truth and negativity in the negative gearing debate Inside Story, 25 February 2016. Click here.
Home and Away: Child and youth homelessness report Mission Australia, February 2016. Click here.
Fact File: Without a Home ABC Fact Check (interactive), 2015. Click here.
Negative gearing: Saul Eslake takes on Ken Morrison Financial Review, 18 February 2016. Click here.
Assessing management costs and tenant outcomes in social housing: recommended methods and future directions AHURI, December 2015. Click here.
Events and Training
AHURI Conference - My way home: competition and choice in human services
This conference will examine current practice and competition across the disability, housing assistance, homelessness, aged care and mental health sectors, with a particular focus on practice and policy solutions. The conference will also draw on the latest research findings from the soon to be completed AHURI Inquiry into Individualised forms of welfare provision and reform of Australia’s housing assistance system. Find out more about the conference and view the draft program and confirmed speakers on the all new conference website. The complete line-up of speakers will be announced in the coming weeks. When: Wednesday 13 April 2016, 8.00am - 4.35pm Where: Melbourne Convention and Exhibition Centre Cost: $295.00 Registration:click here Contact: Go to the AHURI conference website.
Ice Training for Frontline Workers
The Ice Training Package is a free resource, developed by NCETA - The National Centre for Education and Training on Addiction, for frontline workers who want to enhance their crystal methamphetamine skills and knowledge. It is relevant to a wide range of sectors, including health and welfare, education, criminal justice, and transport. Read more here.
Effective Outcomes Reporting TasCOSS (as part of its Reporting on Outcomes project) will run training sessions in Results Based Accountability (RBA) in early April. This is a first step to meeting the DHHS and DSS outcomes reporting requirements for funding agreements, which have RBA as their underpinning method of choice. Where: C3 Convention Centre - 64 Anglesea St, Hobart When: 5 April 2016, 9.00 - 4.30 Cost: TasCOSS members - $170.50, non-members - $214.50 Registration: click here to register. Contact: Beng Poh P: 03 6231 0755, E: admin@tascoss.org.au
Where: Best Western Plus, 3 Earl Street, Launceston When: 7 April 2016, 9.00 - 4.30 Cost: TasCOSS members - $170.50, non-members - $214.50 Registration: click here to register. Contact: Beng Poh P: 03 6231 0755, E: admin@tascoss.org.au
Other News
Employment Opportunity - Health Promotions Team Leader Youth, Family & Community Connections Inc. (YFCC) is seeking applications for the position of Health Promotions Team Leader, which is a full time position until 30th June 2017. This position will be based across Burnie and Devonport, and work across the North-West Coast and West Coast.
Working closely with the ATODS Team, the function of the position is to strengthen the coordination, promotion and delivery of YFCC Health Promotion Activities and HUBs so they are targeted, accessible, evidence based and effective. Key activities include, but are not limited to coordination of:
Devonport and Burnie HUBS
Community awareness activities, group work and education programs
Capacity building network and partnership development
Leading a small health promotions team to deliver high quality services
Applicants must have Tertiary qualifications in Health Promotion, or equivalent, with extensive experience in a related field and proven experience/qualifications in managing complex projects and teams, plus a a current Working with Vulnerable People Registration and be willing to undergo a pre-employment medical. Remuneration will be in accordance with of the Social, Community, Home Care and Disability Services Industry Award 2010 commencing at SACS Level 6.
Further information and an application package can be obtained by contacting the ATODS Team Leader, Frank Lyons on frank@yfcc.com.au or 0418170517. Applications close at 5:00 pm on Monday 28th March 2016, and will be accepted via email (anne@yfcc.com.au) or post:
Anne heath
Quality, HR & Industrial Manager
Youth, Family & Community Connections Inc.
81 Oldaker Street
Devonport 7310.
Employment Opportunity - Housing Officer Housing Choices Tas are seeking two full time Housing Officers, one to join our team located in Devonport and one located in Shorewell Park.
Reporting to the Housing Team Leader, this role is responsible for delivering a range of professional housing management and related advisory services to Housing Choices residents and prospective residents in accordance with Housing Choices guidelines and government requirements. You will have outstanding customer service and communication skills and be willing to go the extra mile for clients. Ideally you will have a background in property or tenancy management.
The ideal candidate will have well developed communication and relationship management skills including problem solving and conflict resolution skills. With experience within the public, community or private housing sector, you must be able to demonstrate your ability to provide exceptional customer service. This is an excellent opportunity to be part of a fun and rewarding environment where you will build on your previous experience in Property or Tenancy Management. You will receive generous employee benefits including salary packaging, extensive training and development opportunities.
For more information go to www.housingchoicestasmania.org.au.
Visit the Housing Choices website at www.housingchoicestasmania.org.au to access the Position Description under ‘employment’. Please include your current Resume and a cover letter summarising your response to the Selection Criteria (as outlined in the Position Description).
Applications should be sent to Human Resources at jobs@hcau.org.au by 9am, Monday, 14 March 2016.
For further information, please contact Human Resources on 03 8636 9400.
Employment Opportunity - 2016 Population and Housing Census Area Supervisors August 9 is Census nightand the Australia Bureau of Statistics is seeking motivated and community minded project managers to work on the 2016 Census. Area Supervisors will train and lead a small team of field staff to help deliver the 2016 Census. Area Supervisors are:
· Non-office based jobs, requiring travel
· Temporary casual positions, with flexible working hours. As an Area Supervisor, you will:
· Recruit, manage and train a small team of temporary Census field staff
· Implement and manage the Census delivery and collection processes and procedures
· Undertake a range of administrative tasks, including the receipt, handling and storage of a range of Census materials
· Earn $34.76 per hour (inclusive of 25% loading). As an Area Supervisor, you must:
· Know your local community
· Hold a current driver licence
· Be comfortable using computer, tablet and mobile devices
· Comply with ABS work health and safety policies
· Hold Australian Citizenship or have the legal right to work in Australia.
Job seekers from diverse backgrounds, including non-English speaking backgrounds and Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people, are encouraged to apply. More information is available from the Applicant Information Kit on the ABS website.
Apply online atabs.gov.au/careers
City of Hobart Community Development Grants Program Applications are now invited for financial assistance for projects and activities under the City of Hobart Community Development Grants Program.
Eligible community groups and organisations can apply through three funding streams:
Community: for community groups and organisations to develop projects or events, or specific elements of ongoing programs, which aim to build community through fostering opportunities for access, participation, and responding to community issues and concerns.
Creative Hobart: Creative Hobart Grants provide funding to eligible organisations and groups to deliver cultural projects which involve artists and communities.
Events: Event Grants provide assistance for events to be staged in Hobart which enhance community identity, deliver economic benefits through increased visitation and promotion and enhance the reputation of the City of Hobart as an attractive tourist destination.
For Grant Guidelines and to submit online Application Forms please go to hobartcity.com.au/Grants. Applications close 21st March 2016.
For any enquiries or to have the guidelines posted to you, please telephone 03 6238 2770 or email grants@hobartcity.com.au
An information session will be held on Thursday 3 March 2016 at 4.00 pm in the Elizabeth Street Conference Room, Town Hall, Hobart to assist applicants with their submissions. Should you wish to attend this information session, please telephone 6238 2100 or email RSVP@hobartcity.com.au to register your attendance.
Tasmanian Community Fund Grants
The Tasmanian Community Fund provides Small, Medium and Large grants to fund community organisations that make a difference by enhancing well-being and improving the social, environmental and economic outcomes for the Tasmanian community.
Applications for funding are now open and have the following criteria:
- Small grants - (up to $20 000) close at 5.00pm on 16 March 2016
- Medium Grants - (between $20 001 and $90 000) close at 5.00pm on 6 April 2016
Additional information and a copy of the Guidelines can be obtained from the Tasmanian Community Fund website. The Tasmanian Community Fund can also be contacted by email: admin@tascomfund.org or by phone on 6232 7269 if further assistance is required.
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.
