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October 2008
ASHRAM members submitted a response to the Federal Government’s green paper on homelessness. The group expressed concerns about barriers experienced by CALD clients when seeking access to homelessness and housing services.Match Housing and Saint Vincent DePaul have both secured 12 months funding under the Settlement Grants Program to provide additional housing support to clients. Match has assisted approximately 10 household per month to find private rentals. The MATCH worker attended the ASRHAM network meeting to discuss their new project which will include home visits, tenancy education, and limited case management. Settlement support services reported increased housing stress on clients and increased numbers of clients, including singles and families, facing homelessness. ASHRAM members expressed concern that as CALD communities are reluctant to engage with mainstream services this is masking the true number of homeless and that case management alone cannot address market pressures. ASHRAM members have raised questions about the impacts of the One Social Housing System Client Intake and Assessment Protocol (CIAP)upon their clients. Members report that settlement clients have required assistance and advocacy support to complete the Department of Housing needs assessment forms. The network expressed concern that some households may be removed from the housing list if they are unable to complete and return the Application for Housing Assistance Review Forms.ASHRAM members have commenced reviewing its 2005 A Call to Action to determine which policy recommendations have been implemented, review the group’s priorities, and re-visit the document in the light of changes in the market place, political imperatives, and the social housing system.As part of its review of A Call to Action ASHRAM is considering the impacts of a dramatically increased 457 visa skilled immigration program and the risk of exploitation in the rental market that workers may face due to language and cultural differences and lack of information and support. Several examples of this have already been reported by ASHRAM members or in local papers.ASHRAM contributed to the TAASQ review advocating for improved access and equity through improved access to interpreters and ongoing community education outreach programs. Feedback from CALD community education activities has shown that one-off information sessions are not sufficient and that information needs to be re-delivered as clients progress through their housing careers. A delegation of ASHRAM and South West Brisbane Branch members met with Graham Perrett, Federal Member for Moreton, to lobby for an increase in public and non-profit housing funding in the lead up to the National Day of Action in Canberra. The delegation was able to clarify that public housing is a distinct entity separate to affordable housing. The group highlighted that the reduction in funding for public housing over the last decade has limited access to secure and affordable housing and left many marginalised tenants from diverse backgrounds struggling to access rental accommodation or afford the increasing rents in the private market .
