Certificate IV in Social Housing 2015-2016 - Expressions of Interest Closing Soon!
The centre for Training in Social Housing in conjunction with Shelter Tas and Housing Tasmania are submitting for funds to deliver this accredited training to Tasmanian social and affordable housing staff, homelessness services staff and community service workers at greatly reduced costs. A course overview is available here. To register your interest contact Kevin Saide at The Centre for Training in Social Housing on 02 9281 7144 ext. 215 or email KevinS@communityhousing.org.au by Tuesday 21st April.
No Connection Between Employment Rates and Housing Assistance - Productivity Commission
A study by the Productivity Commission has found that housing assistance through public housing does not discourage people from working. The report released last week, Housing Assistance and Employment in Australia, found that far from acting as a disincentive to work, stable housing increased many people’s ability to secure employment. Further, the report showed that involvement in the workforce improved once people moved from the waiting list into secure housing. The report also cautioned against charging public housing tenants market rent and providing them with Commonwealth Rent Assistance as recommended earlier this year by the McClure Report, stating this would have little to no impact on workforce engagement. View the full report in Research and Articles.
Federal ALP to Conduct Review into Housing Affordability
Housing affordability continues to be a challenge across Australia. The Federal ALP is conducting a review that aims to find out what courses of action, short and long term, a federal government could take to improve housing affordability. The ALP is inviting written submissions to be sent to chris.bowen.mp@aph.gov.au with the subject title “Housing Affordability Discussion Paper Submission.” The Discussion Paper can be viewed here.
Help Build the DIY Disability Housing Plan
Disability ministers from around Australia are meeting in April to discuss the issue of housing under the NDIS. The Every Australian Counts group will take a range or proposals to the meeting and is seeking your input. Does your current housing support you to live independently? Have you, or your clients, been on a waiting list for a group home for too long? What kind of housing do you or your clients need to support you to make the most of your life? Share your stories and they will be delivered to the disability ministers ahead of the ministerial meeting in April.
Factoid of the Week I Youth Homelessness
More than a quarter of those experiencing homelessness are under 18 years of age.
17,845 are under 12 years of age.
Homelessness Australia, 'Mythbusting Our Homeless - why they're not who you think they are'. 2014.
Media Releases
Coalition Government boosts funding support for vulnerable children and their families
Minister for Social Services, Friday 17 April 2015. Click here.
Employment Figures
Treasurer, Thursday 16 April 2015. Click here.
Working to Address Youth Homelessness
Minister for Human Services, Wednesday 15th April 2015. Click here.
Growth in Housing Finance
Treasurer, Friday 10 April 2015. Click here.
National Ice Action Strategy
Minister for Health, Wednesday 8th April 2015. Click here.
Research and Articles
Housing Assistance and Employment in Australia
Productivity Commission, April 2015. Click here.
The structural drivers of homelessness in Australia 2001–11
AHURI, March 2015. Click here.
Preventing first time homelessness amongst older Australians
AHURI, April 2015. Click here.
What can we learn from householder and service provider experiences of forced exits from private rental?
AHURI, March 2015. Click here.
What are the incidence, motivations and consequences of social housing exits?
AHURI, March 2015. Click here.
Political fear-mongering just magnifies the harm ice can do
The Conversation, 10 April 2015. Click here.
Sector briefing on the Homelessness and Housing sections of the McClure report
Homelessness Australia, April 2015. Click here.
Job Services Australia streaming research report
Homelessness Australia, April 2015. Click here.
Events and Training
Certificate IV in Social Housing 2015-2016
To register your interest in participating in this accredited training contact Kevin Saide at the Centre for Training in Social Housing on 02 9281 7603 or email KevinS@communityhousing.org.au. See leading article in Housing and Homelessness News for further information.
Partners in Recovery Gap Analysis Focus Group
Tasmania Medicare Local (TML) and Partners in Recovery (PIR) are working in partnership to facilitate three focus groups across the state to build on their work identifying what regions see as gaps, barriers and opportunities to better support people with mental illness. Focus groups will be held in the North, North West and South in late April and early May. RSVPs are essential as numbers are limited. Click on the above links for more information.
2015 Skills and Workforce Development Conference
The 2015 Skills and Workforce Development Conference will be held at the Wrest Point Conference Centre, Hobart, on Monday 25th and Tuesday 26th May 2015. The theme of this year's conference is Investing in Growth, resonating with the State Government's broad 'growth' agenda. The early bird registration date has been extended to Thursday 30th April 2015. For more information click here.
Other News
Future2 Make the Difference! Grants program
The 2015 Future2 Make the Difference grants are now open to applications from community not-for-profit organisations with programs that support socially and financially disadvantaged young Australians between 12 and 25 years of age. To be eligible applicants must have DGR (Deductible Gift Recipient) status, be a registered charity or not-for-profit organisation. Applications close Friday 31st July. For more information click here.
Alzheimer's Australia Tasmania Diversity Key Worker Program
The Diversity Key Worker Program aims to raise awareness and understanding about dementia in communities throughout Tasmania.
The program focuses on supporting and training people from and staff who work with the following groups:
Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender, Queer and Intersex
Culturally and Linguistically Diverse
Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islanders
Homeless
Rural & Remote
Disabled
Alzheimer’s Australia Tasmania can tailor an informative “Memory Loss” talk and printed resources for your community group or a training workshop for your staff, volunteers and Board of Management, addressing people’s concerns about dementia. For more information, support, advice and/or training please contact your local Diversity Key Worker:
Southern Office - Sue Clausen, Alex Good and Carmela Lindo on (03) 6279 1100
Northern Office - Erica Pugh on (03) 6326 3488
North West Office - Emily Lockyer on (03) 6425 9104
Expressions of Interest for Eco Driving - Sustainable Living Tasmania
Are your organisational fuel bills too high? Sustainable Living Tasmania wants to work with the community sector to reduce your fuel bills through"Eco Driving". Eco driving is a set of tips and techniques that can easily save on fuel. Sustainable Living Tasmania are applying for funding to deliver this program to the community sector and want to know if your organisation would be interested in participating. To register your interest click here. For further information contact Anton Vikstrom at anton@slt.org.au or 6281 9364.
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.
