Queensland Shelter E Bulletin: 27th August 2010

Federal Election 2010

The Federal election was very disappointing from an affordable housing perspective. Whilst the Greens did issue a policy statement early enough to make comment on the Coalition only released a policy on the last day of the election and this was only released to the Canberra Times where Gary Humphries, the Coalition spokesperson on Housing was defending his seat. The only new announcement made by the ALP during the campaign was the creation of the Regional Better Cities Fund which was largely targeted at creating a better planning environment for affordable home ownership.

The Greens policy was the closest to the National Shelter Policy Platform committing to affordable housing targets, the elimination of no cause evictions, support for the Henry measures around the taxation of housing, increasing CRA for the most vulnerable and improved national consideration of planning measures.

The ALP relied on its existing policy which is already impressive including a new NAHA, NPA’s on Indigenous housing, homelessness, social housing, the stimulus boost, home saver support and the new Building Better Regional Cities fund.

The Coalition provided welcome support for NRAS, states a need for improved planning and calls for the establishment of State Housing Trusts to hold public and presumably much community housing stock and would create housing vouchers for tenants to apply to the housing type of their choice whether that be private rental, community or public housing. There is little detail in the coalition’s policy but creating housing trusts looks like a return to housing commissions and vouchers may be very costly and add demand pressure without easing supply. It is impossible to compare the Coalition policy with the ALP’s as the ALP’s is in place, has real resources and implementation plans underway, where the Coalition’s has no money attached and little detail about how it would operate.

Queensland and National Shelter are committed to working with whoever eventually forms government and will be offering our advice to all parties on how to implement their policies.

Adrian Pisarski
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Sector updates

Queensland Shelter is represented on the Queensland Homelessness Intersectoral Forum and the Queensland Housing Assistance Forum, the QHIF and the QHAF. Adrian Pisarski reports on the discussions taking place at both meetings.

QUIF: The major discussion items were the policy of “No Exits into Homelessness” and how government and non government agencies can comply with not exiting people into homelessness. Issues discussed included whether or not an exit from a prison or health facility into a homeless service constituted an exit into homelessness, which it would, although if the placement was one step in a planned transition from a hospital to a service into permanent housing with support then it could constitute a process which was not an exit into homelessness.

We also raised the issue of discrimination in the private rental market as a barrier for people making a transition into permanent housing. A sub-group of the QHIF may be established to look at how this initiative can be implemented across government agencies and NGO agencies.

It is also proposed that a broad consultation be conducted on a strategy for reducing homelessness which should occur over the remainder of 2010.

QHAF: The QHAF has only met once and is chaired by Minister Struthers. It is a welcome initiative that creates the first genuine Ministerial Advisory process for over 10 years in Qld around housing issues. We also welcome the level of Indigenous representation on the QHAF which includes Indigenous Community Housing Orgs, the Mayor of Cherbourg Council and representation from other agencies.

Two sub-groups have been established to provide considered advice on measuring outcomes and how clients with high and complex needs will be supported by NGO providers. These sub-groups have not yet reported but keep watching this space for reports and if you have critical issues to raise for either the QHAF or the QHIF please send your comments to us.
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ICHO Update

Queensland Shelter travelled to North Queensland between 2 and 4 August and spent three days visiting a number of Indigenous community housing organisations in Cairns and Mossman which operate and provide housing to Indigenous Australians throughout North Queensland from Cairns up to Cooktown. In addition, we also organised a visit to Yarrabah and met with Rod Taylor, the housing manager at Yarrabah Council. The purpose of the trip was to touch base with a number of the ICHOs in North Queensland, see and hear firsthand what they are pursuing in their organisation, discuss the transitioning phase from the Federal government into the State one social housing system, and explore options around what the ICHOs in North Queensland need in order to be able to give a greater number of disadvantaged Indigenous Australians access to safe, secure and affordable housing. Certain issues and themes emerged after speaking with the ICHOs, including the problems around overcrowding, a need for maintenance and repairs on properties, and a specific need for tenancy education particularly for those moving down from the Cape and off communities. Queensland Shelter intends to continue to work closely with ICHOs throughout Queensland in providing increased access for Indigenous Australians to safe, secure and affordable housing.

To find out more about the work Queensland Shelter is doing with ICHOs, please do not hesitate to contact Kate Langdon on 3831 5900 or email policykl@qshelter.asn.au.
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QCOSS Regional Conference

Queensland Shelter attended the QCOSS regional conference on 12 to 14 August in Cairns. Day one of the conference focused on improving service delivery to regional and remote Queensland, and the following two days were on building strong communities, with significant contributions from the Indigenous Professional Support Unit. The day one keynote addresses, plenary sessions and workshops were led by a range of speakers including Mick Gooda, Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Social Justice Commissioner, Cassandra Goldie, CEO of ACOSS, Margaret Hornagold, CEO Darumbal Community Youth Service, representatives from community organisations in the housing and homelessness sector, and academics from James Cook University. If you missed the Conference and are interested in any of the presentations given, the slideshow of presentations given by keynote speakers at the Conference have now been loaded on to the QCOSS website, and can be accessed at http://www.qcoss.org.au/Article.aspx?type=event&id=7004.
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QCOSS/QSHELTER position: Specialist Homelessness Sector Networker

The SAAP Networking Strategy is a three year project (commenced in 2008) funded by the Department of Communities and jointly managed by Queensland Shelter and the Queensland Council of Social Service.

The role will work with Specialist Homelessness Services to support their participation in homelessness service system planning and coordination activities, and facilitate practice development.

The occupant must demonstrate experience in building relationships and working consultatively with stakeholders to develop policy options and program strategies.

The role requires regular intra-state travel

Salary: The salary is at Level 6 (63,358 - $67,964 pa) of the QCOSS/QSU Certified Agreement 2009. Employer superannuation contribution is 10%.

Hours: This is a full time position at 38 hours per week. Overtime will not normally be paid, however time in lieu provisions apply. As per QCOSS policy, flexible working hours can be negotiated. This will be a fixed term contract position for a specified period decided by negotiation.

Applications are due by 26th September 2010

The position description is available at http://www.qshelter.asn.au/employment/specialist-homelessness-sector-net...
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