Queensland Shelter Ebulletin: 28th August 2009

Queensland NRAS Forum

Queensland Shelter in conjunction with the National Affordable Housing Summit Group will host a forum looking at the progress to date of the National Rental Affordability Scheme. Summit chairperson, Julian Disney, will convene the forum on September 25 at the Grand Chancellor Hotel in Spring Hill. This will be a free event, so if you want to find out more about NRAS and the likely future directions and provide input into Shelter and Summit thinking about NRAS register your interest at info@qshelter.asn.au . Numbers are limited so register early to ensure your place.

When: September 25, 10am – 1pm.

Where: Hotel Grand Chancellor
23 Leichhardt St (Cnr Wickham Terrace)
Brisbane QLD 4000 Australia

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Welcome Kate Langdon: Q Shelter’s new Policy Officer

We would like to welcome Kate Langdon as Queensland Shelter’s new policy officer. Kate has completed a Bachelor of Arts, majoring in Political Science and German, Honours in the field of International Relations and is currently in the process of completing a Bachelor of Laws. Her previous work experience reflects her keen interest in human rights and social justice. During her studies she volunteered as a tutor with refugees through VORTCS before moving to India to work as an intern with the South Asia Human Rights Documentation Centre in Delhi.

You are able to contact Kate at policykl@qshelter.asn.au. We all look forward to working with her in the future!
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Rockhampton ICHO Meeting

From the most recent ICHO forum in Rockhampton, 19th August – there is still an impasse, as to what direction ICHOs go. For the majority, in QShelter’s understanding, ICHOs, will not give up the perceived ‘autonomy’ and ‘self-determination’ issues readily.

The consultations thus far have not seen an overwhelming shift to register under the OSHS. A number of Services have signed up. Most of the others are wary of the political implications, but also wary of the historical ‘trust’ issues between Indigenous Communities and Governments. In fact, ‘trust’ was probably the x-factor that all delegates at the Forum, agreed to – so as to ensure an open and transparent relationship ensued – to arrive at mutual understandings.

To that extent the new Minister for Housing, Karen Struthers, has already met with SEQ/RIHO; and is willing to meet again with ICHO representatives before the end of the year.

What I see lacking, as the IPO with QShelter, is the lack of a pro-active approach by some ICHOs to at least have tabled ‘other options’ that just might get ICHOs over the threshold to bigger, even better ‘autonomy’. Certainly this has been the call of QShelter’s Executive Officer, Adrian Pisarski – who without failure has sketched out the bigger picture of potential growth apart from the four options packaged by the State Government – as he did at the Rockhampton Forum e.g. under NRAS opportunities.
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Joining the Dots forum

The Moreton Bay “Joining the Dots” Forum was held on 25 August 2009, and was attended by a number of representatives from various organisations which offer support and housing services to people experiencing homelessness in the Moreton Bay region. Guest speakers included James O’Brien from the Department of Communities and Morrie Evans, CEO of the Sunshine Coast Housing Company. The forum provided an opportunity for discussion on the establishment of a housing network in the region, including the goals, responsibilities and functions of such a network. The network would essentially become the group which government identifies as representing a balanced perspective in the region on the needs and concerns of people and support agencies in relation to housing and homelessness. In addition, the Homelessness panel focused on discussion around homelessness in the region and the strategies in place to combat it.
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Community Housing Green Loans consultations

Queensland Shelter attended the EcoAdvance Green Loans for Community Housing key stakeholder consultation in Perth on 20 August, which focussed on ways that free Home Sustainability Assessments (HSAs) and Green Loans can be adapted for the community housing sector. Free home sustainability assessments and four year interest free loans of up to $10,000 are available to improve residential energy efficiency, which currently accounts for approximately 15 percent of Australia’s carbon emissions. Government title, tight operating budgets, and limited revenue streams were key points raised during the consultation. While improving energy and water efficiency is a high priority for Community Housing Organisations, EcoAdvance need more survey returns to ensure that community housing perspectives on program adaptation to suit varying budgets, title arrangements, and client bases are included. A copy of the survey is available at the Q Shelter website at http://www.qshelter.asn.au/green-loans-for-community-housing
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Upcoming meetings and events

Sunshine Coast Housing Network
When: 1st September
Where: No Limits Foundation office, Ocean Street, Maroochydore(next to WIN TV)

Gold Coast Homelessness Network
When: 9 September, 10 a.m.
Where: Salvation Army Stillwaters, 173 Wardoo Street, Southport.
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Queensland Shelter PO Box 393, Stones Corner 4120
Ph: (07) 3393 2433 Webpage: www.qshelter.asn.au
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