Shelter Tas Have Moved We have recently moved office to:
Suite 33, level 3 Trafalgar Centre
110-114 Collins Street, Hobart.
If you are familiar with our old office, this is directly upstairs from where we used to be located.
We did anticipate some issues with our phones and internet, and our apologies if you tried to contact us unsuccessfully.
There may be a few further hiccups as we move to a new phone system - please call 0419 536 100 if you are unable to call on the landline phone, and of course you can always send us an email:
Pattie: eo@sheltertas.org.au
Andrea: policy@sheltertas.org.au
Meg: comm@sheltertas.org.au
Sue: admin@sheltertas.org.au.
We hope everything will be back to normal soon!
Community Housing Stock Leverage Program Announced Today The State Government launched the Community Housing Stock Leverage program today. This will result in an extra 203 new and refurbished homes for Tasmanians in need, and is enabled by 504 property title transfers to the community housing sector in Tasmania.
Shelter Tas welcomes the State Government's innovative use of assets to create more affordable housing. All of these homes will remain social housing for at least 30 years and be allocated to people on the social housing waiting list. We welcome the news that nothing will change for tenants in terms of their rent or tenancy conditions.
It will be important that tenants’ rights are protected and former public housing stock is retained as affordable housing. Click here to read media release from the Minister for Human Services, Jacquie Petrusma.
Report - Unsettled: Life in Australia's Private Rental Market Unsettled: Life in Australia's private rental market is the report of a national survey of tenants produced by Choice, National Shelter and the National Association of Tenant Organisations (NATO), it demonstrates the negative experiences and poor conditions that Australian renters face. Tenants experience discrimination, are frequently forced to move, put up with poor maintenance and are afraid to complain for fear of eviction or being put on a tenancy data base, the report showed.
While none of this is new, the report, which was launched on 6 February, provides the first representative national evidence of the challenges faced by private renters.
83% of renters in Australia have no fixed-term lease or are on a lease less than 12 months long
62% of people say they feel like they can’t ask for changes
50% of renters report experiencing discrimination when applying for a rental property
50% of renters worried about being listed on a residential tenancy database
20% renters experiencing leaking, flooding and issues with mould
8% of renters are living in a property in need of urgent repairs.
Reports of Proposed National Affordable Housing Agreement Cut A report in the Australian on 10 February suggested that the Commonwealth is considering cutting the National Affordable Housing Agreement (NAHA). The NAHA provides the majority of the subsidies for public housing and funding for homelessness services. In Tasmania, this was worth $28.4 million in 2016/17.
National Shelter have sent out a media release, calling for the Commonwealth government to re-think any cuts to the NAHA. “We need a national plan which supports social housing, homelessness and addresses housing affordability more generally through attracting private and public investment and broader reforms of planning, taxation and tenant rights at state levels. This is not an either or situation, we need every tool at our disposal, including a reformed NAHA”, National Shelter Executive Officer, Adrian Pisarski said in the media release.
There has been little information released on this matter, but there has been a very strong reaction from housing, homelessness and wider community organisations to the suggestions of cuts to the NAHA. National Shelter's full press release can be read here, click here to read National Shelter's letter to Prime Minister Malcolm Turnbull regarding NAHA funding, and related media articles can be found in the 'Research and Articles' section below. You can also tell the PM not to cut public housing and homelessness funding in the Budget by going to the Vote Home page. Shelter Tas will provide updates on this very important issue.
Victorian Government Social Housing and Homelessness Initiatives Last week, the Victorian Government announced that it will commit more than $1.7 billion to support Victorians who need access to safe, secure and appropriate housing options and to provide more support for people experiencing homelessness. The initiatives will support the work of the Victorian Government’s upcoming Housing Affordability Statement and respond to the need for more social housing and homelessness support in the State.
The Victorian Government has stated that it will work closely with partners in the community housing, homelessness, finance and property development sectors on initiatives to increase the supply of affordable housing and provide support for people experiencing or at risk of homelessness. Click here to read more details from the Community Housing Federation of Victoria.
Fact of the Week
50% of renters report discrimination when househunting:
for having a pet (23%), for receiving government payments (17%), regarding their age (14%) or for having young children (10%).
Unsettled: Life in Australia's private rental market - National Shelter, Choice, NATO. 2017.
Media Releases
203 new and refurbished homes for Tasmanians in need Minister for Human Services, 2 March 2017. Click here.
Tenants face appalling conditions - National report reveals Shelter Tas, 16 February 2017. Click here.
Aussie renters facing insecurity and poor quality housing, with 50% reporting discrimination National Shelter, Choice, NATO, 16 February 2017. Click here.
$23 million to help homeless youth Minister and Assistant Minister for Social Services, 21 February 2017. Click here.
Research and Articles
Tasmanian rental market tough on single parents, ex-prisoners, pet owners, tenant group says ABC News, 16 February 2017.Click here.
A manifesto for 'Generation Rent' Sydney Morning Herald, 21 February 2017.Click here.
Rental insecurity: why fixed long-term leases aren't the answer The Conversation, 16 February 2017.Click here.
Axing housing agreement would be 'unmitigated disaster' for homeless The Guardian, 11 February 2017.Click here.
Moving on from home ownership for 'Generation Rent' The Conversation, 15 February 2017.Click here.
A bit of housing justice - the story of HomeGround Real Estate Australian Policy Online, 15 February 2017.Click here.
The funding and delivery of programs to reduce homelessness: the case study evidence AHURI Research, 14 February 2017.Click here.
Coalition MP tasked with housing affordability says 'highly paid job' is 'first step' to home ownership Sydney Morning Herald, 21 February 2017.Click here.
Housing affordability problems might not be all bad The Conversation, 14 February 2017.Click here.
New Melbourne housing blocks to hit market to improve affordability in Victoria ABC News, 28 February 2017.Click here.
Why housing supply shouldn't be the only policy tool politicians cling to The Conversation, 14 February 2017.Click here.
Rental nightmares: Australians share their worst renting experiences ABC News, 22 February 2017.Click here.
'Glorified tents': Push for energy efficiency rules in rental homes as tenants feel the heat Sydney Morning Herald, 17 January 2017.Click here.
Events and Training
Cert IV in Child, Youth and Family Intervention (offered in Tas through ACF) The content of this course is underpinned by the extensive experience of the Australian Childhood Foundation (ACF) in models of therapeutic care- in a range of out of home care settings- and the interventions that stem from this experience and practice wisdom.
The focus of course materials will be on applying knowledge directly into the workplace and caring for children and young people who have experienced significant abuse, violence, disruption and disconnection. For more information, please contact Margaret at CatholicCare on margaret.donaghy@aohtas.org.au. Further course details to come.
Hobart Women's Shelter International Women's Day Event Come together with women, men and children of all ages and backgrounds to celebrate the amazing contribution women have made to our communities this International Women's Day.
On 8th March, the Hobart Women's Shelter (HWS) will host an afternoon of gorgeous music, amazing food, speakers and heaps of prizes to celebrate the achievements of the HWS. Click here to find out more and get your free tickets.
AHURI Conference - Homelessness and Housing Solutions This conference will present the latest AHURI evidence on the homelessness system in Australia, examples of housing solutions for formerly homeless people or those at risk of homelessness and a big picture examination of the support services required to create housing stability for low-income Australians. View the conference program for an overview of the days sessions. Who should attend?
This is a national conversation, and policy-makers and practitioners from across Australia are encouraged to attend, including:
Federal and state/territory government policy-makers from the housing, social policy and human service sectors
Social/community housing and homelessness practitioners and service providers
Charities, not-for-profit organisations, peak bodies and tenant groups
Community service providers across a range of relevant sectors - Indigenous, youth, disability, aged care and more.
The details When: Friday, 31 March, 2017 8:00 AM – 4:15 PM Where: Brisbane Convention and Exhibition Centre
Merivale St & Glenelg Street, South Brisbane, Queensland 4101, Australia Cost: $375 AUD (including GST) which includes morning tea, lunch and afternoon tea.
Information/Registration: visit the conference website.
Other News
Employment Opportunity: Executive Assistant, YFCC Youth, Family & Community Connections Inc. (YFCC) is a local Not-For-Profit Community Organisation that provides a range of health and wellbeing services to young people, families and communities throughout the North West Coast of Tasmania.
They are seeking applications for the position of Executive Assistant. The Executive Assistant will be part of the Executive Support Team and work closely with the CEO and Operations Manager, other Management Team Members and Team Leaders.
The successful applicant will have relevant tertiary qualifications and experience. They will be engaging, driven and have highly developed communication skills (both written and technological). They will have exceptional time management skills and be able to manage multiple tasks. To qualify for an interview applicants must have a current Driver’s Licence AND a Working with Vulnerable People Registration, and be willing to undergo a pre-employment medical. Salary will be in accordance with the SCHADS Award 2010, commencing at Level 6.
Further information about the position and an application package, including position description and selection criteria can be obtained by contacting the CEO (Ph 0364 236635 or Email ros@yfcc.com.au) or the Operations Manager (Ph 0364236635 or Email janine@yfcc.com.au). Completed applications should be sent to YFCC CEO, Ros Atkinson (ros@yfcc.com.au) by 5:00 pm on Friday, 10 March 2017.
All Round Health and Community Care - Hep C Clinics These Hapatisits C clinics are run by Dr Liz Webber who provides a confidential and professional service, they are also bulk billed. For more information, or to book an appointment, call 1300 309 599 or go to www.roundhealth.org.au. All Round Health and Community Care are located at 1/94 Liverpool Street, Hobart.
Grant Alert Hydro Tasmania's Community Grant Program In addition to a range of sponsorships, Hydro Tasmania also offers a community grant program. Six $5,000 grants are provided each year to non-profit community organisations based in Tasmania. The purpose of these grants is to help fund projects that add value to communities in Tasmania and provide a benefit to the people who live there.
These grants will showcase grassroots organisations and volunteers working hard in their community and support them to achieve great outcomes. Further information is available on Hydro Tasmania’s Website. Closes 31st March 2017.
The Mercy Foundation Social Justice Small Grants Program The Mercy Foundation offers a Social Justice Small Grants Program once a year. Small grants are provided for a range of social justice and community initiatives. Funding under this program ranges between $1,000 and $10,000 per organisation. The Small Grants program is only available to non-profit organisations. This program does not fund individuals or for-profit organisations.
For further information and a copy of the selection criteria and application form, go to the Mercy Foundation's 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.
