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A New Housing Minister
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A very warm welcome to our new Housing Minister Hon Meaghan Scanlon. A fond farewell with thanks to Minister Enoch for her commitment to housing throughout the complexities of this time. I’m sure we’ll have further conversations with Minister Enoch in her communities portfolio that now encompasses youth.
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Queensland’s Youth Homelessness Regional Data
We are currently finalising our ABS data region by region fact sheets. Coming to your SYHS very soon!
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We acknowledge that much has changed since 2021. Nevertheless this is our most recent point in time data to draw upon. Here’s a sneak peek.
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Federal Budget May 9th
What’s in the 2023 Budget for housing and homelessness?
The 2023 Commonwealth Budget includes a number of items targeted at improving rental affordability for lower income renters; supporting lower income home buyers; increasing supply of social and affordable rental housing; and for people experiencing homelessness.
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- Increase in Commonwealth Rent Assistance,
- Increases in social and affordable housing supply,
- Upgrades to social housing energy efficiency,
- Targeting increases in Build-to-rent housing supply,
- Supporting home ownership,
- Energy upgrades for existing homes,
- Support for homeless Australians,
- Ongoing funding for National Housing and Homelessness Agreement.
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For further information click here
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Historic Path to
Treaty Legislation
Queensland’s Path to Treaty was set into law with the passing of legislation in Cairns on May 10th.
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The Path to Treaty Bill provides the legislative framework to create the structures for negotiating a treaty or treaties between Aboriginal peoples and Torres Strait Islander peoples and the Queensland Government. Co-designed with the Interim Truth and Treaty Body (ITTB) the historic Bill received bipartisan support from the Queensland Parliament. The ITTB will now work with the Government to establish a First Nations Treaty Institute and a formal Truth-telling and Healing Inquiry.
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The Inquiry will run over three years and investigate the true history of Queensland and the continuing impacts of colonisation on Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples in Queensland. The Institute will support Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples to prepare for, and participate in, treaty negotiations with the Queensland Government.
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May was DFV Prevention Month
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May was Domestic and Family Violence (DFV) Prevention Month in Queensland, an awareness raising initiative to inform the community of domestic and family violence and coercive control, and the support services available.
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Many events were held around Queensland to honour the too many lives lost to DFV and impacted by it; and to share important information to prevent these atrocities from continuing to occur. A huge thank you to the organisations – government and non-government, and individuals who give so much in this vital space.
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Other resources for DFV Prevention:
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Not Always Black and White:
Identifying Youth Focussed Responses to Intimate Partner Violence.
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It was great to attend Not Always Black and White. The afternoon started with a keynote presentation by Professor Silke Meyer - the Leneen Forde Chair in Child & Family Research - Griffith University. Professor Meyer spoke about the existing (limited) research on Adolescent Dating Violence (ADF), young people and coercive control, and Intergenerational transmission of violence. Professor Meyer highlighted a recent research project capturing the experience of young people who have witnessed violence, been subjected to violence, or used violence. Research presented included highlight of prevalence of violence for persons with disability and gender diversity.
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Brisbane Youth Service’s (BYS) Louise Baker presented DFV data from BYS clients and explored strategies employed by workers with young people experiencing violence in their relationships. The K.I.N.D. program (Kinship, Improving relationships, No violence and Developing skills) was highlighted as an initiative targeting BYS young people.
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Attendees explored topics in groups, identifying ways organisations and practitioners can work effectively with vulnerable young people experiencing these complex challenges.
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Youth Justice
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DFV is also a significant factor noted in youth offending. According to the 2020 Census 60% of young offenders have experienced DFV. We also know that many live with disabilities, experience homelessness, poverty and disengagement from schooling amongst other factors that impede their capacity to participate and experience wellbeing in our communities. This month the QPS launched a youth crime documentary that’s well worth a watch.
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The recently released Justice Reform Initiative report speaks further on youth justice. Details are outlined in the news article below.
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JOIN US IN JUNE
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How to celebrate Queensland Day – June 6th
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- Host an event or activity on or around 6 June, and register it on the Queensland Day calendar.
- Host an event in the workplace with a morning tea, lunch or afternoon tea; at school with a fun interactive activity, or get outdoors and have a picnic in the park.
- Download the online resources available via the Queensland Day website, including Queensland-themed quizzes, games, and decorations.
- Attend a Queensland Day Sponsorship Program event held across the state between 3 - 11 June 2023.
- Learn more about our Queensland Greats, announced on Queensland Day.
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Don't forget to share what you love most about Queensland with #MaroonIt for your chance to win. Follow Queensland Day on Facebook and visit the Queensland Day website for more information and how to get involved. It's your state - Maroon It!
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Homelessness and housing affordability is impacting the nation. With soaring house prices, dire rental accessibility, and a shortage of homes, it’s a national crisis. With social and affordable housing demand skyrocketing, specialist youth homelessness services are backlogged. Young people are locked out of almost all housing options. May saw significant coverage of homelessness including youth homelessness.
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‘Laying Down the Law’
Online Training
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Youth Advocacy Centre’s ‘Laying Down the Law’ online version of their highly sought after youth worker training program has launched!!!
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Fantastic training for those in the youth support sector that can be completed from your home or office.
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Responding to Young People’s
AOD Use
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In other exciting news Dovetail recently released a new practice video which targets Specialist Youth Housing workers and OoHC Resi workers!
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Trauma-responsive care LGBTIQ+ young people and their families
Alongside young people and specialists across education and health, Open Doors Youth Service has developed a series of professional development opportunities. This interactive training utilises current research to provide an introduction to trauma-responsive care and LGBTIQAP+ Sistergirl and Brotherboy affirming practice.
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Training date: Wednesday 28 June 2023.
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Human Rights Training
The Queensland Human Rights Commission is providing training sessions including:
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- Introduction to the Human Rights Act
- Introduction to the Anti-discrimination Act
- Human Rights Act for Community Advocates
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June training sessions for 2023 are here.
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Youth Work Community of Practice
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This is a unique opportunity for youth workers to join a state-wide online Community of Practice (CoP) to explore practice frameworks that help improve ethical and effective youth work. There are six pre-planned sessions throughout the year. Interested in joining? Find out more here.
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INFORMATION FOR YOUNG PEOPLE
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Seeking Talented Youth Actors
Mind Blanks is a mental health promotion charity seeking young talented actors to become part of their acting ensemble in Brisbane and surrounding areas. If you know any local young talented creative artists who would love a chance to make a real difference in the community, Mind Blank has a wonderful opportunity to provide:
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- paid casual employment to support a creative career
- social education and youth development experience
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Helping Hands TV
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Helping Hands TV have recently launched a series accessible on 9Now. Vignettes are presented on the Benefits of Community connection, Young People and Anxiety, Paying It Forward and many others.
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Support your mental health
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Smiling Mind is Australia’s #1 mindfulness app supporting every mind to thrive. It provides daily mindfulness and meditation guides at your fingertips. Their evidence-based tools support people to learn the skills to maintain their mental health in fun and interactive ways. Find out more here.
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AOD Program for LGBTIQ+
Young People
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The Alcohol and Other Drug Program at Open Doors Youth Service provides psychosocial interventions to LGBTIQ+ young people between the ages of 12 to 24 who are experiencing problematic alcohol and other drug use, or who are impacted by the alcohol or drug use of others. Refer here.
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Leadership Program for
First Nations Youth
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Nominations are open for the Queensland Government's Indigenous Youth Leadership Program, offering young Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander peoples aged 18 to 25 years the opportunity to come together to develop leadership skills and build capacity to drive change in local communities. The seven-day residential program will be held in Brisbane 16-22 September. Find out more and apply here.
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Nominations close 5pm Friday, 30th June.
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The Sleep Ninja App
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Sleep Ninja is a free adolescent focused app which helps young people improve their sleep. Over 6 weeks, the six training sessions go through the importance and role of sleep, raise own awareness of habits that are contributing to poor sleep hygiene and teaches behavioural and cognitive strategies to change unhelpful sleep patterns. Find out more here.
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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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The campaign organisers noted bitter disappointment that in the midst of a national housing crisis, the Federal Government missed the opportunity to tackle the social housing shortfall in the recent federal budget. With no new funding for social housing, our shortfall of 640,000 homes will only grow. Small increases to JobSeeker and Commonwealth Rent Assistance will be swallowed by rising rents, leaving renters on the lowest incomes hundreds of dollars below the poverty line. Everybody's Home made four key recommendations in this year’s pre-budget submission:
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- Build at least 25,000 social homes each year for 20 years
- Boost funding for homelessness services
- End tax handouts for landlords, saving billions for social homes and renters in need
- Boost JobSeeker and fix Commonwealth Rent Assistance
Read the full analysis here.
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The campaign will be working with their 42,000 partners to strengthen the Government’s 10 year National Housing and Homelessness Plan and the National Housing and Homelessness Agreement. We simply cannot end the current shortfall without Government funding.
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The campaign to Raise the Rate for Good is key to reducing poverty and inequality in Australia. QYHC is an avid advocate for raising the rate. Poverty in childhood is a key indicator of long-term homelessness for young people. Eradicating poverty is key to addressing many social ills faced by members of our society. A level of income support for young people that that ensures they can actively socially and economically participate is essential.
Find out more here.
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Call to Halve Child Poverty by 2030
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Poverty affects far too many Australian children and families, diminishing their life opportunities now and into 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 cognisant that childhood poverty is strongly connected to homelessness as a young person and in later life. Addressing poverty is essential. Find out more here.
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SAVE THE DATE
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