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Shelter TAS - Housing and Homelessness Peak
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Shelter TAS eNews
Thursday 8th July 2021

A Message from Shelter Tas CEO

NAIDOC Week, #HW2021 and AIHW Data
Shelter Tas acknowledges the importance of NAIDOC week with the theme of Heal Country! Here’s a timely reminder to read this innovative new proposal for a nation-wide indigenous controlled housing ‘system’. Safe, affordable and culturally appropriate housing has an essential role in closing the gap for Tasmanian Aboriginal people. 
As we prepare for Homelessness Week (2-8 August 2021), with the Tasmanian theme of Housing Ends Homelessness, and the national theme of Everybody needs a Home, we know the best way to prevent homelessness is to ensure everyone is safely and affordably housed. That is why Shelter Tas will continue to call for 10% of Tasmanian dwellings to be affordable social housing. I encourage you all to participate in Homelessness Week 2021, and to let us know your plans so we can promote them in our calendar of events. Please contact policy@sheltertas.org.au for more information.

This fortnight, we saw new statistics on the Human Services Dashboard. Concerningly, but not surprisingly, the waiting list for social housing has passed 4 000, and the average wait time for priority applicants is now at 55.6 weeks (as at 31 March).

We also saw new data released by AIHW showing that there was a lower proportion of social housing in Tasmania in 2020 (6.1% of dwellings) than in 2014 (6.2% of dwellings). Positively, though, the data shows the proportion has improved since 2018 where a low point of 5.7% was reached. 

This NAIDOC week, we are pleased to see that the AIHW data on Commonwealth Rent Assistance CRA shows a reduction in the number of Indigenous households in Tasmania experiencing rental stress after receiving CRA from 721 in 2019 to 471 in 2020. This corresponds to the overall trend, where in 2019 there were 10 103 Tasmanians in rental stress after CRA, falling to 7 526 in 2020.

However, the trend for older Tasmanians is extremely concerning. There are now 940 Tasmanians aged over 75 in rental stress after receiving CRA, up from 823 last year.

Pattie Chugg
Shelter Tas CEO. 
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Housing and Homelessness News

Homelessness Week 2021

Homelessness Week 2021 will take place from the 2 - 8 August, and the date is fast approaching!

Homelessness Week is a great opportunity to raise awareness of people experiencing homelessness, the issues they face and the action needed to achieve enduring solutions.

Organisations from around the state are planning Homelessness Week activities, and you can find out more about the events on the Shelter Tas website, which also includes resources and branding (with thanks to the City of Hobart for design updates) for any Homelessness Week initiatives your organisation has planned.

What you can do in the lead-up to Homelessness Week?
  • Download the resources on the Shelter Tas website
  • Check out the Homelessness Week events calendar - and don't forget to let us know if you have an event planned (no matter how big or small) so we can add it to the calendar and help to promote it prior to Homelessness Week
  • Use #HW2021 and the social media tile (find it on our website) when promoting Homelessness Week 
  • If you are in the Launceston area and seeking assistance with your event, contact John Davis from Launceston Council to discuss how they may be able to help out.
If you have any questions or need assistance, please contact us at policy@sheltertas.org.au or call the Shelter Tas office on 6224 5488.
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COVID-19 Vaccination Program for People Experiencing Homelessness

Moreton Group Medical Services will be the delivering the COVID-19 vaccination roll-out for **ONLY** people experiencing homelessness or residing in Specialist Homelessness Services (SHS). 

Moreton Group Medical Services will be visiting major population centres across the North West, North and South of Tasmania, and will provide the Pfizer vaccine to those experiencing homelessness or in SHS accommodation, and over the age of 16. The vaccination program will run over 12 weeks, with delivery in two doses. 

Organisations working with people experiencing homelessness should begin discussions with their clients early, so they have the opportunity to consider if they would like to be vaccinated, as Moreton Group Medical Services are required to obtain informed consent from each person to be vaccinated, and to allow for successful co-ordination and planning of the roll-out.

If you would like more information about the vaccination program, please contact Moreton Group Medical Services at health@moretongroup.com or go to their website - www.moretongroup.com.

Homelessness Services Staff
Specialist Homeless Service staff are now classified as essential workers and are eligible to receive the COVD-19 vaccination. All staff  should book through the Tasmanian Government booking system at coronavirus.tas.gov.au/bookings.

People who require additional support
COVID-19 vaccination clinics have been set up in Hobart and Launceston for people living with disability and/or mental illness, their carers, disability support workers, and people who may have anxiety about medical procedures. The clinics will be set up to allow more time and support to be given during the vaccination process including easy read resources, additional space and longer appointment times.

To book in to an Additional Support Clinic or a dedicated Quiet Clinic, call the Public Health Hotline on 1800 671 738, or go to www.coronavirus.tas.gov.au/vaccination-information/covid-19-vaccination/Book-your-vaccine for more information.

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Parity Magazine Call for Contributions

Parity magazine is the Council to Homeless Persons' national publication, and expressions of interest are being sought for their August edition - Every Grain of Sand: Preventing Homelessness Deaths.

This edition follows on from the August 2019 Parity edition The Last Mile of the Way: Homelessness Death and Dying to ask what is being done, what can be done, and what should be done to prevent deaths that are the consequence of homelessness?

All contributions should be submitted as Word documents to parity@chp.org.au. Contributions can be up to 1,600 words (double page spread) or 800 words for a single page article. Please contact Parity Editor Noel Murray at parity@chp.org.au or ring (03) 8415 6200 if you have any questions. Detailed information on referencing and writing guidelines for the magazine can be found here.
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Research, Reports & Articles

AHURI, 24 June 2021
  The Guardian - Full Story podcast, 29 June 2021 Pro Bono Australia, 1 July 2021
Sustainable Built Environment National Research Centre, 2021
The Guardian, 1 July 2021
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Media Statements

Cassy O'Connor, Greens Leader and housing spokesperson, 30 June 2021
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Training and Events

New AHURI Webinar

Housing key workers in Australian cities 
The events of 2020, particularly the COVID-19 pandemic, have highlighted the vital role many workers play in the functioning of cities and their resilience in times of crisis. New AHURI research has found that many essential workers are struggling to access housing in Australia’s most expensive cities.

This free webinar presents findings from the AHURI research project — Housing key workers: scoping challenges, aspirations, and policy responses for Australian cities.

Date

Wednesday 14 July


Time

11am AEST
 

Location

Online - Click here to register
 

Cost

Free
 
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AHURI Hybrid Conference

On 29 July, AHURI will host a hybrid one-day conference, Uncharted urban futures: Australian cities post pandemic. 

This event will examine Australia’s population dynamics as a result of the COVID-19 crisis; the delivery of critical social infrastructure to support our changing cities and the particular urban transport challenges emerging from the pandemic.

You are invited to take part – either in-person in Melbourne or online - and join this important national conversation about our uncharted urban futures.

Date

Thursday 29 July


Time

9:00am - 5:00pm
 

Location

Melbourne Convention and Exhibition Centre OR online
 

Cost

$75 - $350
See registration page
 

Register

Click here to register
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Other News

International Overdose Awareness Day

Tuesday 31 August is International Overdose Awareness Day, and the Alcohol, Tobacco and Other Drugs Council Tas (ATDC) is again calling on members of the Tasmanian community to help fold Japanese origami cranes to contribute to artworks across the state, designed to raise awareness of overdose.

Senbazuru is a Japanese tradition that says if you fold 1,000 origami cranes you will be granted a wish, so this project also represents the wish for an end to overdose in our community.

Fold origami cranes between now and the end of August, then bring them to one of 4 events on 31 August 2021 where you can add them to an art installation. Events will be held in Burnie, Devonport, Launceston and Hobart. ATDC have lots of resources to help you get involved, go to www.atdc.org.au or contact Cathy at cathy@atdc.org.au or (03) 6231 5002. 

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Supporting Women to Succeed Grants Program

The Tasmanian Government's state-wide Supporting Women to Succeed Grant Program aims to create more inclusive communities and support the advancement of women across all areas of the economy, by funding initiatives that support women’s employment throughout Tasmania.

Grants of between $10,000 and $200,000 are available for organisations to support cultural change and improve outcomes for women in industry, particularly in non-traditional fields of employment. This can be through existing projects, or developing and delivering new projects.

To find out more, visit www.communities.tas.gov.au/csr/Grants or Women in Tasmania.

For further information, please contact Rani Cavarretta at rani.cavarretta@communities.tas.gov.au or phoning on 03 6165 7737.
Application close 25 July 2021.

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SCHCADS Industry Award

The Social, Community, Home Care and Disability Services (SCHCADS) Industry Award 2010 updated pay table sets out the rates of pay and allowances that apply from the first full pay period commencing on or after 1 July 2021. Provided by Jobs Australia, via TasCOSS.

View the latest SCHCADS Industry Award 2010 pay tables here
View the SCHCADS Industry Award 2010 here 
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Find our 2021-22 Budget Submission and 2020 Annual Report here.
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Shelter Tas is supported by the Department of Communities Tasmania.
Copyright © 2021 Shelter Tasmania Inc., All rights reserved.
This eNews has been sent to you because you have indicated that you are interested in receiving updates and information from Shelter Tas.

Thanks to all contributors for their submissions and feedback to the Shelter Tas eNews. As content comes from many different sources, views expressed are not necessarily those of Shelter Tas. 
 
We welcome input from members. Please note however, that priority will always be given to funded not-for-profit housing and homelessness services, in accordance with Shelter Tas’ vision, mission statement and objectives.
 
Please send contributions to comm@sheltertas.org.au for consideration.


Shelter Tasmania Inc. Suite 33 110-114 Collins Street Hobart, Tas 7000 Australia

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