June 2008

The Ashram branch worked closely with Anna McCormack, the Ethnic Communities Council of Queensland, and the Residential Tenancies Authority to hold the “Towards Sustainable Tenancy Education for Diverse Communities” forum in April. The forum examined the one-off nature of project funding and stated the need for continuance of pilots such as the Community Partners in Tenancy Project (CPIT) where five CALD workers were trained and accredited in tenancy advice and advocacy and community education in partnership with the Tenants Union of Queensland.  One graduate, Anzo James, now works as a full time tenancy advice worker at Acacia Ridge TAAS.   

 The forum also presented the case for universal access to Telephone and Interpreting services for TAAS and SAAP services and featured presentations from the Townsville Multicultural Support Group, Interlink Housing and the CPIT participants.

 Panellists responding to the issues included Jennifer Clarke, general manager of Community and Public Housing (DoH); Kerrin Benson, CEO of the Multicultural Development Association; Janet Hayward Multicultural Engagement Officer, near North TAAS, Adrian Pisarski of Qld Shelter, and David Breen of the Residential tenancies Authority.   

 The forum recommended that a clearing house of completed projects be established to prevent duplication and encourage progression, that the nature of one off funding is inadequate, that all TAAS and SAAP services have a responsibility to ensure that access to assistance is not limited by the cost of interpreting services, and that the Community Partners in tenancy participants be recognised as a valuable community resource and supported to continue working with their communities.