Crystal Methamphetamine Ice Training – Update Places for the upcoming Workforce Development training to be held in Devonport on Tuesday 7 July and Hobart on Thursday 9 July have been oversubscribed. Shelter Tas will prioritise access for workers in Type 3 homelessness services and work with the ATDC to maintain a wait list for future sessions and training options. Participants and those on the wait list will be notified after June 15. Click here for more information about the training and a link to registration.
Senate Committee into Affordable Housing: Australia’s housing market not meeting needs The Senate Committee into Housing Affordability released its report this week. Unsurprisingly, the Committee found that Australia’s housing market is not meeting the needs of a “significant number of Australians.” The Committee recognised the importance of affordable, secure housing to general wellbeing and made 40 recommendations. They included the creation of a long-term national affordable housing plan, and investigations into maintaining rent at sustainable levels. Click here to read the report.
Federal Budget 2015-16 A number of organisations within the housing and homelessness sector have released responses to last week's Federal budget, including amongst other things, an extension to the National Partnership Agreement on Homelessness (NPAH) Funding; but no turnaround on the funding cuts to National Shelter, Homelessness Australia or the Community Housing Federation of Australia. Click the links below to read the responses: Shelter NSW CHFA ACOSS Homelessness Australia Budget Infographic
Social Impact Bonds Consultation Report – Questions from the Field On March 12th Shelter SA held it’s first Social Impact Bonds consultation with stakeholders who wanted to learn more and participate in conversations about the potential of integrating SIBs into the community services sector. Key aims of the consultation were to:
Engage the sector in dialogue and discussion about SIBs
Gauge levels of interest and test levels of knowledge
Identify capacity building directions and needs
Validate the findings of the Shelter SA critical review.
As a result of the consultation, more questions than answers were raised. Shelter SA have produced a Social Impact Bonds Consultation Report which you can read here. For more information contact the Shelter SA office on 8223 4077 or via email sheltersa@sheltersa.asn.au.
Sharing Stories of Housing Stress ABC Open and The Drum are looking for everyday Australians to contribute their stories of housing stress. All contributions which fit the criteria will be published online on ABC Open. The most compelling stories will also be features on the Drum. Contributors may also be asked to be guests on ABC radio. For more information, go to the ABC Open website.
Queens Walk Developments On Friday 1st May Human Services Minister Jacquie Petrusma unveiled a new name for each of the four Queens Walk apartment towers. Each building has been given the name of an indigenous Tasmanian tree, celebrating the nature of Tasmania and also connecting Queens Walk residents to their immediate and broader communities. Building names were chosen by the residents themselves. Pictured: Human Services Minister Jacquie Petrusma, Lisa Roberts of Housing Choices, Queens Walk Residents, and Michael Lennon, Managing Director of Housing Choices.
Factoid of the Week I Australia's housing affordability crisis
From 2002-2012, average prices for Australian houses rose by 92% and for flats by 40%. Average rents rose by 76% for houses and 92% for rents.
ACOSS Fuel on the Fire 2015
Media Releases
Senate Inquiry findings show urgent need for budget action on housing National Shelter, Monday 11 May 2015. Click here.
Govt waits for market magic to relieve housing stress National Shelter, Thursday 14 May 2015. Click here.
Celebrating Neighbourhood House Week Minister for Human Services, Wednesday 13 May 2015. Click here.
Darren Hine Tasmania's Representative on Family Violence Advisory Panel Minister for Women, Thursday 14 May 2015. Click here.
Employment figures Treasurer, Thursday 7 May 2015. Click here.
Primary Prevention Approach to Reducing Violence against Women and Children Minister for Women, Monday 4 May 2015. Click here.
Multi-million investment to tackle ice and other drug use Minister for Health, Sunday 3 May 2015. Click here.
Research and Articles
Exploring transitions between homelessness and public housing: 1 July 2011 to 30 June 2013 Australian Institute of Health and Welfare, 13 May 2015. Click here. How will this budget affect the disadvantaged? ABC PM, 12 May 2015. Click here.
What is the relationship between underemployment and housing insecurity? AHURI, May 2015. Click here.
Homeless have no hope as city prospers The Sydney Morning Herald, 10 May 2015. Click here.
Push to change welfare indexation after survey reveals extent of housing stress The Guardian, 9 May 2015. Click here.
Out of reach? The Australian housing affordability challenge Senate Economics References Committee, May 2015. Click here.
Warning on ‘mass homelessness’ in Australia Pro Bono News, 7 May 2015. Click here.
Housing affordability must be a national focus Pro Bono News, 5 May 2015. Click here.
Supportive housing to address homelessness AHURI, May 2015. Click here.
Events and Training
Housing, Accommodation & the NDIS - Flying Start Workshops The Commonwealth and State governments have given the go-ahead for funding “new and innovative specialist disability housing" in NDIS trial sites. The pilots will help build an evidence base about how housing models can support people with disabilities. You can read the requirements NDIS Chairman Bruce Bonyhady details as essential for housing in the NDIS here. Workshops will be held in Sydney on the 23rd June 2015 and Melbourne on the 26th June 2015. Click here to register or for more information.
TasCOSS State Budget Briefing The TasCOSS State Budget Briefing will follow the Budget Lock-Up at 4:30pm on Thursday 28 May in Hobart. The TasCOSS team will provide a quick analysis, followed by a presentation and Q&A with The Hon Jacquie Petrusma, Minister for Human Services. An audio feed of the event will be available to those outside of Hobart that can't make it to the venue. To register for the TasCOSS State Budget Briefing click here.
Australasian Housing Institute - Asset Management Professional Practice Seminar Following requests from the industry, the fourth Asset Management Seminar will held in Melbourne on the 15th June 2015. A professional practice seminar providing senior housing professionals with an interest in asset management the opportunity to exchange ideas and innovative practice methods to manage housing portfolios for sustainable stakeholder outcomes. Costs will be $540 for AHI members and $630 for non-members (early bird and group discounts may also apply). Click here to find out more, or go to the AHI website to register.
Expressions of interest: Free Mental Health First Aid Training Anglicare Tasmania Launceston is seeking Expressions of Interest to attend Mental Health First Aid training. This is an opportunity for everyone who provides a service to local businesses, community members and groups such as clubs, churches, and others to learn more about initial support for people who are developing a mental illness or experiencing a mental health crisis. If you think your community would benefit from free Mental Health First Aid training, please contact martinaw@anglicare-tas.org.au. For more information click here.
"New Life" Charity Gala Dinner Pathways Tasmania will host the 2015 Gala Dinner from 7pm on Saturday 22 August at the C3 Convention Centre, Anglesea Road, South Hobart. Last year the dinner raised more than $80,000 with the funds used to engage, support and mentor vulnerable young men to help them reach their full potential by building character and making positive choices. To find out more about the event or make a booking click here.
Other News
NDIS Resources Hub The NDIS Resources Hub is a collection of resources which explore best practice tools, strategies, ideas and case studies for NDIS success. Click here for more information.
Bell Bay Aluminium Community Grants 2015 Bell Bay Aluminium is offering assistance to Tasmanian based community organisations to enhance and improve quality of life in their local community. For more information or to download an application form click here. Applications close 5pm Monday 1 June 2015.
Help with heating for low income Tasmanians The NILS Network, with support from the state government, is providing a subsidy to help with the purchase of energy efficient heating, home insulation and block-out curtains and pelmets. Eligible applicants can be given 30% of the cost of the item and we will provide a loan for the balance (up to $2500).
Eligible items include: non-ducted reverse cycle air conditioners – minimum 2.5 star energy efficiency rating
gas, air source heat pump and solar hot water heating systems
condensation control systems
ceiling and floor insulation
block out curtains and pelmets.
If you know someone who needs help, and they have a Health Care Card or Pension Card, please tell them to call NILS on 1300 301 650 for more information.
Future2 Make the Difference! Grants program The 2015 Future2 Make the Difference! grants are now open. Applications are sought from community not-for-profits with programs to support socially and financially disadvantaged young Australians between 12 and 25 years of age. Applicants may apply for either a short-term grant of up to $10,000 in one year or a multi-year grant with total value up to $30,000 over three years. For more information visit the Future2 Make the Difference! Grants website. Applications close Friday 31 July 2015.
The Bottom Line Blog Do you or someone you know have a story to tell about living on a low income? TasCOSS' Bottom Line Blog is up and running and looking for content: photos, videos, words, artwork ... it can be in almost any form and they are happy to help if you need a hand. Visit the blog for more information and don't forget to like their Facebook page and help get the word out.
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.
