State Budget 2015 The Treasurer, Hon Peter Gutwein MP, handed down the Tasmanian State Budget on Thursday 28th May 2015. The following housing and homelessness information was presented:
1. Investing in affordable, safe and sustainable housing for Tasmanians
The State Government has committed a total of $22.96 million for the Housing Tasmania Capital Program in 2015-16. The following major projects are planned:
$3.3 million is allocated to complete construction of the Trinity Hill Youth Accommodation and Training facility in the South. This follows from the $7.2 million spent in 2014-15.
$1.5 million will be spent in 2015-16 on developing a new youth accommodation facility in the North West. A total of more than $7.5 million is committed to this project, including the allocation from the 2014-15 Budget.
$1.3 million will be spent on the upgrade of 13 neighbourhood houses across the State.
$1.8 million will support capital projects under the Affordable Housing Strategy.
$3.4 million will be spent on increasing the supply of new homes.
$7.5 million will be paid to the Australian Government for the repayment of principal on outstanding Commonwealth State Housing Agreement loans.
$0.9 million will provide ongoing funding for the National Rental Affordability Scheme.
This program translates to 630 new affordable homes across Tasmania. In 2015-16:
550 new, affordable homes are expected to be built in Tasmania under the National Rental Affordability Scheme.
Trinity Hill Youth Accommodation will open providing 46 units for young people.
Housing Tasmania will build six new adaptable homes for people living with disability.
Housing Tasmania will deliver 15 residential lots on the old Somerset Primary School site.
16 dwellings will be built by Community Housing Organisations under the Better Housing Futures initiative.
For more details on housing services, budget initiatives and priorities, click here. Shelter Tas congratulates the State Government on its investment in a North West youth facility (see media release below) and will work with its members to fully understand the implications of the budget and provide analysis in the coming weeks. For full details of the State Budget click here.
News Flash - Residential Tenancy Amendment Bill 2014 passed The Residential Tenancy Amendment Bill 2014 (that includes minimal standards) was passed by the Legislative Council on the 28th May 2015. This is great news and we will provide further details once to hand.
Report released on inquiry into affordable housing The Senate Inquiry into Affordable Housing has released its final report. The Committee have recommended that the “Australian Government reinstate funding for the peak bodies that represent and provide advice on homelessness, community housing and housing and tenancy policy” (rec 32). To watch a video of Senator Scott Ludlam’s response to the report click here.
Factoid of the Week I Demand for housing assistance
Between 2007-08 and 2013-14, the number of public housing households fell from 331,000 to 317,000, while mainstream community housing households rose from 36,000 to 67,000.
Australian Institute of Health and Welfare 2015
Media Releases
State Budget announces North West youth accommodation Shelter Tas, Thursday 28 May 2015. Click here.
Tax concessions key driver of housing price inflation National Shelter and ACOSS, Tuesday 2 June 2015. Click here.
Labor's Budget reply looks to the future with innovation Tasmanian Labor, Tuesday 2 June 2015. Click here.
Greens Budget Alternative for those the liberals forgot Tasmanian Greens, Monday 1 June 2015. Click here.
Tas Youth Housing and Homelessness Group welcomes youth facility in North West Tas Youth Housing and Homelessness Group, Thursday 28 May 2015. Click here.
Call to invest in affordable housing Shelter Tas, Wednesday 27 May 2015.Click here.
Victims of Crime given a voice on Parole Board Attorney-General, Wednesday 27 May 2015. Click here.
A safe roof essential to recovery from family violence Shelter TAS, Tuesday 26 May 2015. Click here.
Family Violence Premier, Monday 25 May 2015. Click here.
Proposals sought to deliver new drug and alcohol rehabilitation beds Minister for Health, Saturday 23 May 2015. Click here.
Supporting Vulnerable Tasmanians Premier, Thursday 21 May 2015. Click here.
$3 million to secure North West Coast jobs Premier & Deputy Premier, Tuesday 19 May 2015. Click here.
Research and Articles
Demand for housing assistance grows; more seeking rent assistance and social housing waiting lists remain long Australian Institute of Health and Welfare, 29 May 2015. Click here.
Without affordable housing, we won’t have a society worth living in The Conversation, 28 May 2015. Click here.
High Rate of Homelessness Among ex-Prisoners Pro Bono News, 28 May 2015. Click here.
NW youth housing support welcomed The Advocate, 28 May 2015. Click here.
Marginalised Living on $18 a Day - Salvos Pro Bono News, 27 May 2015. Click here.
Australian demographic trends and their implications for housing subsidies AHURI, May 2015. Click here.
Identifying effective arrangements for managing remote Aboriginal tenancies AHURI, May 2015. Click here.
Advisory Panel to Reduce Violence Against Women Named Pro Bono News, 19 May 2015. Click here.
Events and Training
Practice, Service, System & Community Transformation Conference 2015 - REMINDER TO REGISTER! Partners in Recovery Tasmania invite all people living with mental illness, families and friends, community members who care, community groups, service providers (from across a range of service responses including disability, housing, alcohol and drug), policy makers and others to attend their 2015 conference to be held on Monday 15th June - Wednesday 17th June at the Tailrace Centre in Riverside, Launceston. The conference will provide an opportunity for people from all walks of life and support areas with broad experiences to come together to consider and contribute to ‘how we can be the best we can be’. Together we will be responding to the needs of, and building capacity with people with mental illness, families, services and communities. Click here to register. Attendance is free.
Lifeline DV-alert (Domestic Violence Response Training) DV-alert is Lifeline's accredited training program that aims to build the knowledge and capacity of community frontline workers to provide appropriate support to women and children experiencing violence. A two-day workshop will be held on Thursday 23rd July and Friday 24th July from 9am - 5pm at The Old Woolstore, 1 Macquarie St, Hobart. Training is free for health, allied health and community frontline workers and some participant expenses may also be covered. For more information visit http://www.dvalert.org.au/.
Vinnies CEO Sleepout The annual Vinnies CEO Sleepout will be held on Thursday 18th June at Aurora Stadium, Launceston. Go to www.ceosleepout.org.au to register or to make a donation.
National Housing Conference 2015 The National Housing Conference 2015 will be held at the Perth Convention and Exhibition Centre from Wednesday 28th October - Friday 30th October. The program is continuing to take shape with a number of new speakers announced. For more information visit the website www.nhc.edu.au.
Homelessness Prevention Week 2015 - Step Up Homelessness Prevention Week (HPW) will be held from Monday 3rd August - Sunday 9th August. How will you 'Step Up' to end homelessness in Australia?
Raise community awareness and understanding of homelessness?
increase community connections for those who are homeless, or at risk of homelessness?
recognise the individuals and groups who help those experiencing, or at risk of homelessness?
increase community understanding and connections for those working in the homelessness sector?
Please have a think about how you can engage with your community and how you can 'Step Up'.
To download the sponsorship package click here, or for more information email media@homelessnessaustralia.org.au. If you are holding an event for HPW, please let Shelter Tas know so we can promote it in the eNews.
Other News
Tasmanian Community Achievement Awards Nominations are open for The 2015 Tasmanian Community Achievement Awards. Categories include:
Sustainability
Health Achievement
Agriculture
Outstanding Achiever
Innovation in Safety
Community Group of the Year
Environment
Disability Achievement
Click here to recognise an individual, organisation or group that is making a difference in your local community and State. Nominations close on Friday 21st August 2015 with finalists and category winners announced on Friday 4th December 2015.
The National Dental Foundation (NDF) Dental Rescue Days NDF Tasmania offers basic dental treatment to people genuinely in need of dental care at no cost to the patient. The aim of the program is to assist clients to access dental health services by providing care co-ordination with volunteer practices and dentists. Volunteer dentists and support staff donate their time and skills to provide treatment at no cost to clients. The NDF are currently looking to expand their 'Dental Rescue Days' across Tasmania and charitable organisations are aksed to refer clients who will benefit from a positive dental intervention. For more information visit the NDF website.
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.
