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Housing Summit
Outcomes Released
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Today the Palaszczuk Government released the Queensland Housing Summit Outcomes Report. The Summit, held in October, brought together all levels of government alongside the construction industry, the real-estate industry, planners, developers, community services organisations, homelessness advocates and community housing providers.
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Premier Palaszczuk noted the Summit as an historic step forward to address housing challenges being experienced in Queensland, Australia, and across the world. The Outcomes Report focuses on expanding housing supply and increasing housing support for Queensland. Read more here.
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There’s much to unpack and much more to unveil. We’ll keep you posted in the days and weeks ahead.
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Read the Summit report here.
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Unmet Housing Need
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Quantifying Australia’s unmet housing need – a national snapshot was prepared for the Community Housing Industry Association by the UNSW City Futures Research Centre. This report reveals that one in fifteen Australian households were experiencing homelessness, overcrowded homes or rental stress on census night in 2021. Their analysis indicated that 640,000 Australian households are in housing stress, with this number expected to rise to 940,000 by 2041. Read report here.
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Rental Affordability Index
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In November, National Shelter together with SGS Economics and Planning launched the Rental Affordability Index. This annual research indicated that there is a significant lack of affordability driven by the overall lack of supply. Of importance, examination of household scenarios showed that young people on income support are likely to be paying more than 90% on rent. Read report here.
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A MONTH OF EVENTS AND LEARNING
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QYHC was delighted to attend Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Housing Queensland’s Inaugural Housing Conference this month. The 2022 conference explored key issues, developments, opportunities and solutions to create improved Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander housing outcomes in Queensland.
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We relished the opportunity to hear from a range of presenters and be a part of a powerful learning experience. Key learnings from the conference included:
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- First Nations people first
- First Nations housing services driving First Nations housing solutions
- The key to change is voice, treaty and truth
- Policies need to be from the grassroots level
- Safe and secure homes = empowered communities
- Connection with community is vital – need to be led by mob
- Place-based and co-design – involve First Nations people in the design of their homes
- Resourcing to need, First Nations’ voices in the workforce and equitable funding.
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QCOSS AGM
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QYHC joined QCOSS for their AGM on the 10th of November 2022 at the Brisbane Powerhouse.
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Congratulations to Alvin Have, who was elected at the AGM as one of three Board Directors that hold regional membership, and to the current Board Directors – Matt Gardiner, Kevin Mercer and Dr. Faiza Elhigzi – who were re-elected to their positions.
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The morning was engaging and thought provoking thanks to the keynote Speaker, Adrian Carson from the Institute for Urban Indigenous Health. He shared his knowledge and inspired all of us to:
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- think about how we can work together to Close the Gap,
- empower First Nations communities, and
- challenge the systems that entrench disadvantage.
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QShelter CEO and Leaders’ Forum
QYHC attended Q shelter CEOs and Leaders’ Forum at the Pullman Brisbane King George Square on the 16th of November 2022. Louise Bonner warmly welcomed us to country, then the day started with opening remarks by Q Shelter President Darren Mew. The Hon Meaghan Scanlon MP followed with her opening address which wholeheartedly supported housing solutions.
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The day was filled with inspiring conversations especially by keynote speaker Futurist; Dr Colin Russo. He helped explore how leaders can shape the future they desire "The next 10 years will bring as much change as the last 100." So what will it mean for affordable housing and homelessness?
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More engaging and timely presentations followed on:
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- housing diversity and building community support
- enabling community housing providers for growth, and
- philanthropic investment options for the future.
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DIVE INTO DECEMBER
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Human Rights Week 2022: Closer to Home
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What springs to mind for many of us when we think of human rights are international matters – war, displacement, famine, oppression. If we think of human rights in a context closer to home, it’s often in terms of courts or parliaments or other places that feel removed from our everyday lives.
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However, Queensland’s Human Rights Act is not just about lawyers or legislation. It’s about people. The Act came out of a grassroots community movement. It belongs to all of us and has the biggest potential for change in our neighbourhoods and our communities, at a local level – close to home.
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Close To Home is the theme for Human Rights Week 2022 and will focus on human rights at a local level, helping people and their communities to know, share and use the Act. Find events and training here.
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Upcoming Training
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The Queensland Human Rights Commission has multiple training sessions online during Human Rights Week. These free sessions include an Introduction to the Human Rights Act and an Introduction to the Anti-discrimination Act. The sessions are designed to give an overview of how the legislation works and what it covers. Sessions are suitable for anyone wishing to learn more about the Acts, including members of the public or community sector workers and volunteers.
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Understanding Cultural Humility
and Safety
Cultural humility is a practice of self-reflection – it is an ongoing process of self-exploration and self-critique, balanced with a willingness to learn from others.
This online workshop will delve into discovering your own bias and take you on a journey in strengthening cultural capability and approaches to First Nations community, clients and colleagues. It will:
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- Consider cultural safety in the context of specific service delivery areas, including housing and homelessness
- Examine the ongoing impact of colonisation
- Challenge stereotypes
- Consider how the Human Rights Act can support cultural safety
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This webinar will be held on Tuesday 6 December 2022 from 12:00pm to 2:30pm. Register here.
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Renewal of Shifting Minds:
Join the Consultation
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Register your interest to join the Queensland Mental Health Commission for a conversation about the next phase of mental health, alcohol and other drugs, and suicide prevention reform in Queensland.
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As Shifting minds: Queensland Mental Health, Alcohol and Other Drugs Strategic Plan 2018–2023 comes to completion next year, the commission is working to develop a renewed whole-of-government and whole-of-sector strategic plan for the next five years. A series of tailored consultation sessions will be held throughout Queensland for cross-sector service providers, specialists, experts, representative organisations, and government stakeholders to inform the renewal of Shifting minds.
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Find out more and register here.
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Disability Action Week 2022
November 26th until December 2nd marks Disability Action Week for 2022. The purpose of this week is to recognise the contribution people with disability make to communities, families, workplaces, and the economy.
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QDN is holding an online event:
DISABILITY ACTION WEEK 2022 - Workforce Diversity - Open Up to Opportunity to celebrate Disability Action Week 2022 and raises awareness on how Queenslanders can play their own role in creating an all abilities Queensland.
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Date: Friday 2 December 2022
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Time: 1:00 pm – 3:30 pm AEST
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- Hon Craig Crawford MP - Minister for Seniors and Disability Services, Minister for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Partnerships.
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- Hon Di Farmer MP - Minister for Employment and Small Business , Minister for Training and Skills Development.
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Followed by fabulous presenters and Industry Panel!
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How to Support Clients
Exposed to Technology-facilitated
Coercive Control
In technology-facilitated coercive control, various forms of technology are used to extend the perpetrator’s ability to monitor and maintain surveillance of the victim-survivor. Technology also provides avenues to harass, threaten and shame victim-survivors, manipulate their social relationships and ensure compliance with demands. Drawing on the latest research and practitioner insights, this free webinar will:
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- Describe what technology-facilitated coercive control looks like in practice.
- Provide examples of the different ways that victim-survivors might experience technology-facilitated coercive control.
- Suggest strategies for face-to-face and telehealth practice.
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This webinar is being held on Wednesday 7 December 2022 from 1:00pm to 2:00pm.
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Supporting the Developmental Needs of Children
with Neurodiversity
This webinar will explore what the evidence says about how neurodiversity can affect children. It will enable practitioners in a range of settings to recognise the effect of neurodiversity on children’s learning and social development and to understand the principles for support. Specifically, it will:
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- Outline the three key areas of development affected by neurodiversity, and common signs of neurodiversity in different settings
- Take a deep dive into a key developmental area – self-regulation
- Provide practical strategies for supporting children with self-regulation difficulties, using specific clinical examples of working with children on the autism spectrum.
This webinar is being held on Wednesday 14 December 2022 from 1:00pm to 2:00pm.
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Centre of Excellence
A Huge Congratulations to QATSICPP on their Centre of Excellence!
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The Queensland Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Child Protection Peak (QATSICPP) today announced the launch of their new Centre of Excellence – an online hub of knowledge and wisdom for the child protection sector.
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With your support, the Centre of Excellence is a place for our sector, partners and the community to share knowledge and wisdom, learn from each other and build the evidence base for change.
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If you would like to contribute to the Centre of Excellence, please contact Policy Research and Evaluation Director, Lisa Hillan here.
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Call to Halve Child Poverty by 2030
Poverty affects far too many Australian children and families, diminishing their lives now and in the future. As one of the wealthiest countries in the world, it’s just not right that 1 in 6 of our children grow up in poverty.
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The campaign calls upon all politicians to commit to halve child poverty by 2030. QYHC is consistently reminding government and other stakeholders that childhood poverty is strongly connected to homelessness in later life and that if we work to prevent this, we change the course of a person’s life. Help to achieve this legislative change by signing the pledge and posting it on social media today.
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Everybody’s Home is a national campaign to address the housing crisis. It focuses on working together to call on Australian governments to bring balance back to the system, so that everybody has a place to call home.
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QYHC is consistently reminding government that everyone needs to be safely housed. QYHC is a proud supporter of the Everybody’s Home campaign as this is key to stopping young people being locked out of all housing options.
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The campaign to Raise the Rate for Good is key to reducing poverty and inequality in Australia. The goal of this campaign is to raise Australia’s social security safety net to keep people out of poverty.
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QYHC is consistently reminding government that poverty is the main precursor to homelessness. Income support for young people that keeps them above the poverty line is essential. QYHC is a proud supporter of the Raise the Rate for Good campaign as this is key to reducing poverty and inequality in Australia. The goal of this campaign is to raise Australia’s social security safety net to keep people out of poverty. This requires an income of at least $70 a day.
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You can take action by signing up to the campaign to raise the rate to above the poverty line.
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HOUSING IN THE NEWS
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Housing affordability is impacting the nation. With soaring house prices, rental hikes and a shortage of homes, it’s a national priority. It continues to be in the news more and more each month. Read the following articles:
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Poverty in Australia 2022:
A Snapshot
The Poverty in Australia 2022 Snapshot is the latest in the Poverty in Australia series and is part of the Poverty and Inequality Partnership between ACOSS and UNSW Sydney. The report provides a brief overview of levels of poverty – overall and among adults and children – following the recent release of Australian Bureau of Statistics (ABS) data on household incomes in 2019-20. It examines trends in poverty since 1999, and through each quarter of 2019-2020. Some key findings include:
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- The poverty line (based on 50% of median household after-tax income) is $489 a week for a single adult and $1,027 a week for a couple with two children, based on the latest data from the ABS.
- More than one in eight people in Australia (13.4%) lived below the poverty line in 2019-20, the first year of the pandemic. That amounts to 3,319,000 people.
- One in six children (16.6%) live in poverty. That amounts to 761,000 children.
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Read the full report here.
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Government Responds to
Hear Her Voice Report 2
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The Queensland Government has released its response to the Women’s Safety and Justice Taskforce report Hear her voice – Report Two – Women and girls experiences across the criminal justice system. The Taskforce’s report has shone a light on the experiences of victim-survivors of sexual violence and women and girls in the criminal justice system in the state.
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An additional $225 million funding over five years to support the implementation of the recommendations has been announced to assist with:
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- The Townsville Sexual Assault Response Team (SART) and expanding the model in two new locations
- Court IT upgrades in 81 locations to make it easier for victims to give video evidence
- The establishment of a Victims’ Commission
- The Queensland Sexual Assault Network (QSAN)
- A community education campaign to improve awareness and understanding about sexual violence, including consent.
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Read government’s full response here.
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Historic Step Forward
for Income Support
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The Albanese Government has announced that it will establish an Economic Inclusion Advisory Panel of experts to advise the government on the adequacy of income support payments in advance of every budget. This announcement is a game-changer because it creates important public accountability about the shortfall of income support. It means, for the first time in history, every government will have to publish information and recommendations about the adequacy of income support two weeks out from each budget.
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We know that income support payments such as JobSeeker and Youth Allowance need to be urgently increased.
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Click here to email your support and urge further action to raise the rate.
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Help to Home
The Help to Home initiative has provided homes for up to 116 people in its first four months. The Queensland government is calling on all homeowners across the state to help Queenslanders in need by registering an expression of interest to lease their property as a part of Help to Home.
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Being part of Help to Home allows homeowners to be part of the solution to the housing challenges facing the state. Help to Home is a great way for eligible Queensland homeowners to lend a home and help out people in the community who need housing.
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Supporting Young People Experiencing Disadvantage to Secure Work
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The Australian Institute of Family Studies published Supporting young people experiencing disadvantage to secure work this month. It provides an overview of the evidence on young people experiencing disadvantage and unemployment and highlights strategies that may be useful for practitioners working in education and employment settings to support young people experiencing disadvantage to prepare for and find work. Read here.
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GRANTS/AWARDS
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Community Partnership Innovation Grants
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Applications for round 2 of the Community Partnership Innovation Grants (2022-23) are now open, with up to $3 million in funds available for communities across Queensland. One-off grants of up to $300,000 will be available for local projects that support young people, who are or could become offenders, to change their behaviours and improve community connection.
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The grants will support new ideas and projects that target the unique issues being experienced by local communities, and that are designed in partnership with the local community. An ideal proposal will include a response to local youth crime matters in your community that addresses the causes of youth crime and delivers positive outcomes for young people who are or are at risk of committing crime.
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Applications close on Monday 30 January 2023. Find more here.
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Programs on Offer
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Vinnies Youth offer various programs in Brisbane for young people between 8-17 years old. The programs aim to connect young people with positive role models as well as build and develop friendships between young people. These programs also provide respite for parents and families, and empower young people to grow through positive experiences in fun, safe, caring, and supportive environments. The programs include Soccer Stars, Buddies Day, Sense Youth Mentoring, & camps. Access the programs flyer here.
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Accoras You.nique
The You.nique program provides individual support to children and young people within the context of their family. The focus of the program is to work with the child or young person to address their mental health needs and help their parents to understand and support better management of their mental health.
Children or young people can be referred if they are:
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- Experiencing a diagnosed mental health concern;
- Showing early signs and symptoms of a mental health concern; or
- At risk of developing a mental health concern.
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Visible Ink Youth Hub is a free and central hub for Brisbane’s young people to explore new ideas, access resources, have a say and connect with community partners, enabling them to grow as better citizens and contribute to a better Brisbane.
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Visible Ink is open 7 days a week for bookings of their Rehearsal space and Multi-use space between 9am-12pm, 12-2pm, 2-4pm, 4-6pm, 6-8pm or 8-10pm. Please note that Media Studio bookings are only available between Wednesday-Friday 12pm-7:45pm and Saturday 12pm-2pm and 2pm-4:45pm.
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They are also open during staffed hours for young people to have casual use of their Maker space, Art space and free printing without needing an appointment so feel free to pop on Wednesday-Friday 2-8pm and Saturdays 12-5pm. Find out more here.
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Nature Freedom Programs
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Nature Freedom is all about inclusion, creating positive and meaningful access and opportunities for participation in the natural environment. It’s also about employment for young people living with a disability and/or mental health issues.
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Their programs are designed with a focus on the lived experiences of young people with disabilities and/or mental health issues, co-design, accessibility, and inclusiveness. Various events and activities are offered both indoors and outdoors in locations around Brisbane City, Moreton Bay and Logan. The programs are all about getting together to help each other experience the joys and benefits of being in nature.
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Find more information and register here.
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Building Blokes
The Building Blokes program is one of the programs that Top blokes Foundation has on offer. It is a personal development program for young men aged 16-24. The program covers a range of key social topics that will help young men make positive and healthy life decisions, with discussions based around:
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- Improving their well-being by increasing their conflict resolution skills;
- Building stronger relationships with their partners, peers and families;
- Increasing their skills to avoid the harmful impacts of gambling, drugs and alcohol;
- Developing resilience to common life pressures, such as peer pressure and social media; amongst many others.
Find program booklet here.
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Top Blokes Foundation is expanding in Queensland. Find out more here.
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WORKSHOPS/TRAINING FOR YOUNG PEOPLE
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QDN-Y Online Support Group
Queensland Disability Network is inviting young people with a disability living in Queensland to participate in their QDN Y online peer support group. This support group will be held on the last Monday of the month from 3pm to 5pm on zoom – with the next group being held on 26 December 2022.
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Headspace Indooroopilly is running regular free groups for young people:
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- Starburst Group – runs fortnightly on a Monday from 3:30-5:00pm; open to all LGBTIQ young people; find flyer here.
- Board Games Group – runs fortnightly on a Tuesday from 3:30-5:00pm; provides a safe space to meet and socialise with new people; find flyer here.
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