QYHC NEWS

'Australians for Ending Homelessness'

‘Australians for Ending Homelessness’ is a network of individuals and groups across Australia with a core aim to tackle homelessness and to influence Australian, State and Territory governments policy and investment decisions regarding homelessness.

The campaign was ‘launched’ with a small door stop press conference at Parliament House on Monday 24 November 2008.

Why now?

COAG is meeting on 29 November to discuss funding for homeless programs and public and community housing as part of its review of Federal government payments to States.  Depending on the outcomes of these negotiations, the Homelessness White Paper may be released in early December.  The campaign will be aiming to put maximum pressure on the Federal Government to deliver at COAG on the funding increase for homeless programs that the sector has long been arguing for. 

The need for a national homelessness campaign has been precipitated by a delay in the release of the White Paper which was due out in September, the stated repeal of the SAA Act and the concerns about the impact of the COAG process on a national homelessness agenda.

There is a national spokesperson for the campaign, Ms Deb Tsorbaris, however her main role is at a national level. 

How can you join in?

The campaign has been designed so that you can all jump on board and participate.  Materials have been developed that you can use that are easily digestible to the media and general public - these are available from the Homelessness Australia website.

Each State and Territory can develop localised messages under the “Australians for Ending Homelessness” banner thereby giving us the ability to talk as one voice. 

The only thing is organisation need to do is to register onto the campaign by contacting Maria Leebeek on policy@qyhc.org.au to ensure that your name is added on the Homelessness Australia website.

What do you need to do?

One of the key areas of work is to respond to the increased media interest in the area of homelessness and to stay on message with the 5 key points that the campaign is articulating – most of these points will resonate with the issues that you or your service is facing. 

Alternately you can generate your own media release following the launch.

How will you be updated on the campaign?

 Homelessness Australia will keep you updated on the next steps in the campaign including activities that may be happening in the State and across the country.

Many thanks and happy campaigning!!

QYHC Project - A Short History of the Queensland Youth Homelessness and Housing Sector

The Queensland Youth Housing Coalition Inc is writing a brief history of the youth housing/homelessness sector and would welcome your input. The aim of the project is to develop a written history of the youth housing/homelessness sector in Queensland to ensure that the valuable contribution made by you and others is documented and recognised.

It is anticipated that the final product will be in book form with historical data, anecdotes and photos.  To this end we are requesting your assistance in providing stories, photos or any other materials ie poster, postcards, campaign materials that you may have to share that we can include.  All material will be acknowledged and stories attributed to the author/s.

If you have any stories or information that you would like to share please contact us at admin@qyhc.org.au or phone us on 07 3876 2088.

If you have any questions regarding the project please contact Ms Maria Leebeek Executive Officer.

Youth Homelessness Matters Day 2009 - 1st April 2009

Background to Youth Homelessness Matters Day

The Youth homelessness Matters Day is a national campaign which aims to raise public awareness of youth homelessness.

The campaign is an initiative of the National Youth Coalition for Housing (NYCH), the national body  for the State and Territory youth homeless peaks and networks.

Youth Homelessness Matters Day Bags

As part of the event and to provide ongoing support for the Youth Homelessness Matters Campaign we have produced a bag.  If you are interested in continuing to support the campaign and to support the QYHC please feel free to purchase a bag.

Please click here for an order form - YHM Day Bags order form

Register of events and participating services for YHM DAY 2009

The Queensland Youth Housing Coalition is in the process of organisating the 2009 events. 

If you are interested in participating please email your details to admin@qych.org.au

QYHC Forums

SEQ Accommodation Coordinators Network generally last Friday of every month- check with admin@qyhc.org.au

Other community events

Streetsmart campaign

StreetSmart is a unique bridge between the community and small, grassroots agencies that assist people experiencing homelessness. We support critical services and emergency aid as well as projects that promote social inclusion, empowerment and sustainable change for people who are homeless. When money is raised from the public through our fundraising events, 100 per cent of donations are distributed in the form of grants.

Click here to go to Streetsmart website to find participating restaurants

Media releases

Queensland Youth Housing Coalition develops a number of broadsheets and bulletins, click to download in PDF format.

» Media release January 2008 - No roof, no job, no vote