Shelter Tas Management and Staff wish you a safe and relaxing Easter break. The Shelter Tas office will be closed from 5:00pm Thursday 13th April until 9:00am Wednesday 19th April 2017. Happy holidays!
Housing and Homelessness News
Sector Meeting with Treasurer About Housing and Homelessness National Shelter and other sector organisations recently met with Treasurer Scott Morrison and Assistant Treasurer Michael Sukkar in Canberra. The roundtable meeting was held to discuss the upcoming federal budget, the National Affordable Housing Agreement (NAHA), affordable housing and housing affordability. National Shelter EO, Adrian Pisarski has prepared a report on that meeting, which you can read by clicking here.
Australian Treasurers agree housing affordability is a key priority (report from AHURI) Commonwealth, State and Territory Treasurers met in Canberra on Friday 24 March 2017 as the Council on Federal Financial Relations (CFFR), and agreed that addressing housing affordability is a key priority for Commonwealth, State and Territory Governments.
In a statement released following the meeting, the CFFR recognised that States and Territories are already undertaking a range of initiatives to improve housing supply and affordability, including work on policies to improve rental affordability for those on low-incomes. The statement also acknowledged the importance of Commonwealth funding to support the National Affordable Housing Agreement (NAHA) being invested more effectively to deliver these outcomes.
Beyond the work of the CFFR, Federal Treasurer Scott Morrison will present a lecture on Monday 10th April, focusing on housing affordability, in particular the increasing pressures placed on social and affordable housing, in the lead up to this year's Commonwealth Budget. (Australasian Housing and Urban Research Institute, 30 March 2017)
National Shelter Argues Why We Need Change in the Rental Market Following the findings of the recent survey of rental housing conducted by Choice, in partnership with National Shelter and NATO (Unsettled- Life in Australia’s private rental market), National Shelter EO, Adrian Pisarski has provided further analysis of the report and presents a strong case for change.
The Australian Government pays tax concessions worth $11.7bn of taxpayer money per year to investors to provide rental accommodation (compared with $1.313bn to social housing), yet the experience of many private renters is of insecurity, expensive housing and discrimination. The Unsettled report shows that it is time for a serious discussion in Australia about delivering reforms to the rental market to make it a better experience and more secure place for renters.
Click on the links to read Adrian's article in full or to view the Unsettled report.
Letter Requesting Standard Lease Agreements and Forms - Tenants' Union Together with TasCOSS, Shelter Tas have co-signed a letter from the Tenants' Union of Tasmania to Consumer Affairs and Fair Trading, as well as government ministers, requesting standard lease agreements and application forms be introduced for prospective tenants. This letter was produced due to concerns that some forms require people to provide irrelevant and private information, potentially causing discrimination for prospective tenants. You can read the full letter here, and also a media article which was written as a result (also in 'Research and Articles' section below).
Housing the Homeless - a three part podcast series Pro Bono Australia has shared this series: Homelessness, in its simplest form, it is the state of having no home. While there’s no silver bullet for the problem, a number of solutions are now putting housing first.
Part 1: The Cause
Part 2: The Solution – exploring housing led approaches
Part 3: The Pathway - what needs to be done.
These podcasts are available to stream or download.
Fact of the Week 70 per cent of young people leave home to escape family violence, child abuse or family breakdown.
Rosenthal et al. 2006. Why do homeless young people leave home? (via Shelter WA).
Media Releases
Youth Homelessness Matters Day: Call for national action plan on youth homelessness National Youth Coalition for Housing, 5 April 2017. Click here.
Statement - Council on Federal Financial Relations meeting Treasurer of Australia, 24 March 2017. Click here.
Research and Articles
Welfare agencies call to end Hobart rental discrimination against low-income tenants ABC News, 4 April 2017.Click here.
Housing concern increase for kids (content from Shelter Tas) The Examiner, 26 March 2017.Click here.
No place like home: The impact of declining home ownership on retirement Saul Eslake for AIST, March 2017.Click here.
Governments are trapped in a vicious cycle of housing policies and prices The Conversation, 4 April 2017.Click here.
Ask Izzy data points to domestic violence victims in most need of housing support InfoXchange, 4 April .Click here.
The housing crisis (audio) ABC RN, 2 April 2017.Click here.
What economics has to say about housing bubbles The Conversation, 3 April 2017.Click here.
Transformative transfers: growing capacities in UK social housing AHURI Research, 28 March 2017.Click here.
Is transport the missing link in the housing affordability debate? (audio) ABC RN, 6 April 2017.Click here.
Malcolm Turnbull increasingly isolated over capital gains tax The Age, 5 April 2017.Click here.
The forgotten 660,000 locked out of home ownership The Conversation, 31 March 2017.Click here.
A sensible way to use super to fund affordable housing AHURI News, 23 March 2017.Click here.
Study of UK public housing helping put Australia back on track Pro Bono Australia, 29 March 2017.Click here.
CGT curbs 'hanging by a thread' as Coalition split on housing Financial Review, 5 April 2017.Click here.
Housing affordability is not just about youth. 15,000 seniors are homeless The Guardian, 20 March 2017.Click here.
Demand,deposits, debt: Housing affordability in Sydney (briefing paper) NSW Parliamentary Research Service - Chris Angus, #1 2017.Click here.
Former RBA governor Bernie Fraser says penalty rate cut will produce inequality, not jobs Sydney Morning Herald, 7 April 2017.Click here.
Events and Training
National Policy Briefing with Ian Yates - COTA Australia CEO Ian Yates, COTA Australia CEO, will provide an update on current national policy issues and how they will potentially impact older Australians and local organisations. When: Thursday 20th April 2017, 4.00pm - 5.30pm Where: Tasmanian Hockey Centre - 19 Bell St, New Town Cost: Free, light refreshments provided
RSVP:admin@cotatas.org.au or 6231 3265 by Tuesday 18 April.
National Housing Conference - Building Better Lives The biennial National Housing Conference is the single largest cross-sectoral event in Australasia for the social and affordable housing sectors. The conference provides a platform to share, debate, celebrate and promote ideas in affordable housing research, policy and practice and help guide Australia’s future approach to affordable housing delivery and is a must attend event for housing industry specialists. The 2017 National Housing Conference (the 10th in the series) will be held in Sydney. The program is currently under development but you can go to the NHC website to download a program snapshot. Conference Details When: 29th November - 1st December 2017 Where: International Convention Centre, Sydney Cost: $1,310 (full), $761 (day) - early bird prices until 31st July Registration:click here.
Foundations for Trauma Informed Care and Practice This one-day interactive training builds awareness to the possibility that clients, staff members and/or practitioners may have experiences of trauma, from childhood or more recently. It highlights how the trauma may be affecting their health, wellbeing, daily interactions and functioning.
The training provides attendees with the knowledge and skills needed to better support their clients' sensitivities and vulnerabilities, minimise re-traumatisation and enhance possibilities for recovery. As a significant percentage of Australians with trauma histories engage with diverse services, a basic understanding of trauma, trauma dynamics and the core principles of trauma-informed practice is vital for every person working in health and human services. Click here to find out more and to register for training. Hobart
Friday 12th May 2017
Rydges Hotel and Function Centre
Cnr Argyle St and Lewis St, North Hobart
9.00am - 4.30pm
$310.00 (single ticket) or $295.00 (per person for group booking of 3 or more) Launceston
Monday 23rd October 2017
Hotel Grand Chancellor
29 Cameron St, Launceston
9.00am - 4.30pm
$264.00 (single ticket - early bird) or $251.00 (per person for group booking - early bird).
Other News
Employment Opportunity - Crisis and Transitional Accommodation Support Service Workers (2 casual positions) Youth, Family & Community Connections (YFCC) is a 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 above positions, to cover absences during annual and personal leave and also as required.
The positions are based in both Devonport and Burnie, and work across the North West Coast area, aiming to provide immediate emergency accommodation and transitional accommodation services and support to young people, aged 13-21, who are homeless or at risk of homelessness. They are looking for applicants who are engaging, passionate and knowledgeable in the areas of Youth and Housing Support Services.
To qualify for an interview, applicants must have as a minimum a Diploma in Community Services, or equivalent, or be well underway to completing the same. Applicants must also have a current Driver’s Licence and a Working with Vulnerable People Registration, and be willing to undergo a pre-employment medical.
Further information about the position and an application package, including position description and selection criteria can be obtained by contacting the Team Leaders: Shane Leonard, on 0418170517 or email shane@yfcc.com.au; or Wendy Smith, on 0429148158 or email wendy@yfcc.cm.au.
Completed applications should be sent to:
Ros Atkinson, CEO - ros@yfcc.com.au Applications will be accepted up until 5:00 pm on Friday, 21st April 2017.
Report - Listening to Children and Young People in Tasmania 2016 The Commissioner for Children and Young People has released a new report, Listening to Children and Young People in Tasmania 2016, which details the thoughts and ideas of hundreds of children and young people across Tasmania.
The report combines direct quotes from members of the Commissioner’s Children and Young People’s Advisory Councils across the state, and the results of an online survey conducted in 2016. Children and young people raised issues across eight main themes: Having a Voice, Equality and Respect, Education and Opportunities, Environment, Safety, Sport and Recreation, Transport and Health.
A copy of the report is available for download from the Commissioner for Children and Young People’s website - www.childcomm.tas.gov.au. Requests for hard copies may be made by contacting the office on 6166 1366.
Grant Alert Calvary Community Grants The Calvary Community Council invites not-for-profit local organisations to apply for support for their health care related projects. Funding of up to $5,000 per grant is available to successful applicants. The Council has a focus on organisation who are addressing identified areas for funding being:
MyState Foundation Grants The 2017 MyState Foundation Grants are now open for application, with grants of up to $10,000 available to help young Tasmanians reach their full potential. Who can apply: If you are engaged in educational or developmental projects with young people in Tasmania then you may be eligible. MyState seeks to support those who assist young people with disabilities to achieve independence or access special education, care and support. They also support organisations who help young people overcome barriers to become self-reliant and provide opportunity for further education and better financial literacy. What you need to apply: You must be a not-for-profit organisation, have an ABN, Deductible Gift Recipient (DGR status), and the program must directly support Tasmania’s youth. How to apply: Go to mystatefoundation.org.au to download and complete the application. Your application must be submitted by 28th April 2017.
If you have any questions surrounding eligibility or about the grant process, email foundation@mystate.com.au.
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.
