Q Shelter Ebulletin: 7 May 2010

ICHO Report

Queensland Shelter has now finalised the ICHO report which includes clarification of a number of issues which were detailed in the previous November 2009 version, and new concerns which were raised at the Brisbane January forum. This report will be used as a solid starting point, particularly over the next three months, as Queensland Shelter intends to, in conjunction with the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Human Services Coalition, work closely with all ICHOs in Queensland toward implementing some of the recommendations listed in the ICHO report. This includes writing to Minister Jenny Macklin and Minister Tanya Plibersek seeking to convene a meeting to explore options around maintenance and repairs funding, caveats, and legislation issues. We will also be convening a national forum on Indigenous housing issues to coincide with the National Shelter meeting in July. If you have any queries regarding the report, or Q Shelters’ work in this area, please do not hesitate to contact Kate Langdon on 3831 5900.

The Report is available on the Q Shelter website at http://www.qshelter.asn.au/icho-report
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Logan/LANARTA real estate networking event

The Logan/LANARTA Housing Interagency Network continues its successful series of real estate networking events at 9 am on Wednesday 19 May at Logan Diggers Club, Blackwood Road Woodridge. The events are a forum in which housing providers, support services, and real estate agents improve their understanding of the common challenges, new programs designed to assist renters, changes in tenancy law, and options for helping tenants deal with their responsibilities in a highly competitive rental market. Speakers at this month’s events include Logan’s new Rent Connect Officer Sue Hawthorn, the Residential Tenancies Authority and Beenleigh STARH project spokespersons, and Sue Sproates of Ray White Beenleigh.

Spaces are limited so be sure to RSVP by Friday 14 May 2010 to 0403 019 166 or emmasteelebennett@gmail.com.
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Improved rights may reduce homelessness

National Shelter and the National Association of Tenant Organisations presented A Better Lease on Life to Minister Plibersek last week. The report outlines a reform agenda to improve tenant’s rights frameworks across Australia. If the Commonwealth can negotiate better tenant rights with the States we can reduce Australia’s high levels of homelessness and improve tenant security.
The report is available at http://www.qshelter.asn.au/national-shelter-current-work/improved-rights...
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Budget Breakfast

QCOSS in conjunction with Queensland Shelter and a number of other organisations will host its annual budget breakfast on Friday 11th June 2010 from 6.45am – 9am.

Confirmed speakers for the event include Queensland’s Treasurer, The Hon. Andrew Fraser and the Minister for Housing and Community Services, The Hon. Karen Struthers.

Registrations for the breakfast are required, and be quick because this event always sells out fast!

The registration form is available at http://www.qshelter.asn.au/event/2010/qcoss-budget-breakfast
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Brisbane SAAP Services Forum: 18th May

A SAAP Services forum will be held on Tuesday May 18 at the Merthyr Uniting Church, 52 Merthyr Rd, New Farm (on-street parking is available).

The May forum is the forth in an ongoing series of forums held as part of the Queensland SAAP Networking Strategy. The forums broadly aim to provide an ongoing communication and engagement mechanism for SAAP services in the Brisbane region around the new homelessness agenda. The previous forum was held in December.

In addition to providing an update around developments in homelessness the forum focused on how the Homelessness Coordination Initiative under the Homelessness National Partnership agreement Implementation Plan might look in Brisbane, as well as exploring the concept of a vacancy management system & common assessment & referral process. A summary of discussion from the December forum is attached.
Forum aims:

• To provide an overview of developments around homelessness both in the region and at the state & federal levels.
• To discuss as a region what the role of SAAP services might be in the new homelessness agenda.
• To discuss what the implications might be for your organisation & how organisations can best prepare for the changes ahead.
• To progress work around exploring a vacancy management system & common assessment & referral process, following on from previous forums.
• To share innovative & best practice in service delivery*.

Please note – participants have previously expressed an interest in sharing innovative practice at these forums. If you have a program or project that you would like to share information about at the forum, please let me know.

The registration form, as well as the minutes from the December forum is available at the Qshelter Website at http://www.qshelter.asn.au/event/2010/saap-services-forum-brisbane

For further information, please contact Tanya Hall at QCOSS on (07) 3004 6916 or by email at tanya@qcoss.org.au
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Regulation and Growth of the Not-For-Profit Housing Sector: FaHCSIA discussion paper

An important discussion paper has been released today by the Department of Families, Housing, Community Services and Indigenous Affairs (FaHCSIA).

Titled "Regulation and Growth of the Not-For-Profit Housing Sector", the report argues the case for a national regulatory system for not-for-profit housing providers and that changes to institutional frameworks, improved access to capital funding, and a significant shift in the scale and sophistication of operations will be necessary for the growth and success of the sector.

The discussion paper and the processes that follow will play a significant role in informing the Commonwealth’s responses to shaping the conditions under which our sector can be supported, grow, and operate in ways that maximise opportunities for both organisations and the tenants that they house.

Consultations will be held around the country, beginning in Sydney on 3 May.
The discussion paper and a full list of consultations are available at http://fahcsia.gov.au/about/news/2010/Pages/housing_regulation_discussio...

Submissions responding to the discussion paper are invited. The closing date for submissions is 4 June 2010, and details for people interested in making a submission are contained in the discussion paper itself.
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Upcoming Meetings/events:

Logan LANARTA Housing Interagency
9.30 am Thursday 20 May
Housing and Homelessness Services
13 Station Road Woodridge

“Detours: Stories from the street”
A Photographic exhibition from Cr David Hinchliffe and David Kelly, featuring stories from Trent Dalton.
May 7 – May 15 at TCB on the Valley Mall.
More information is available at http://www.qshelter.asn.au/event/2010/detours-stories-from-the-street-ph...

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Queensland Shelter PO Box 214, Spring Hill 4004
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