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State Budget 2023
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The 13th of the month saw the state budget 2023-24 released. An additional $18 million over 5 years for enhancing 5 immediate supported accommodation services for young people across the state as well as specialist outreach support in 13 locations has been allocated. QYHC is continuing our work with the government to enhance housing and support options for young people. As part of the government’s promise to focus on the housing crisis, new funding of $1.1 billion will boost social housing across the state - $322.2 million to commence an additional 500 new social housing homes through the QuickStarts Qld program by 30 June 2025. $128 million funding to improve housing outcomes for First Nations people, including those living in remote and discrete communities. The State Budget also includes significant investments in housing and homelessness supports for Queenslanders in need. This includes $64.3 million to purchase, lease and operate emergency supported accommodation in Brisbane. There is also $24.7 million over four years to maintain head leasing of homes for social housing.
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Further assistance is available for Queenslanders in housing need with the launch of the state government’s new Queensland Savers website. The website, www.queenslandsavers.qld.gov.au, allows Queenslanders to explore the range of savings and support services that they may be eligible for including Bond Loans, Mortgage Relief Loan and Rental Grants.
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QShelter CEO/Leaders' Lunch
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A wonderful 2-day event bringing QShelter regional representatives together and culminating in a packed to the rafters CEO and Leaders’ Lunch. Excellent presentations by special guest speakers, the Minister for Housing, Meaghan Scanlon MP who gave the keynote address, Tess Pickering, Deputy Director General of Planning, and Debbie McNamara, GM of Economic Development Queensland.
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A huge congratulations to the team on a great event.
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QCOSS Breakfast
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Braving the early morning chill of June 15 representatives of the community, government and private sector gathered to hear from Treasurer Cameron Dick, as he outlined the recent budget and spending targeted at responding to the increasing cost of living. During his speech the Treasurer announced an estimated $50 million a year in extra funding for frontline services in the form of indexation (at a rate of 5.63%). The QCOSS analysis of the budget can be viewed here.
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Cath is a stalwart of the youth and family support sector. For over 20 years at YFS she has made a significant mark on the region and countless staff and colleagues fortunate enough to work alongside her. Her kind, gentle and strong being widely known and respected. It was wonderful to see Cath honoured at both the QCOSS Budget breakfast and the QShelter CEO and Leaders’ Lunch.
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Cath recognised the need for a holistic approach to back people to achieve real change in their lives, and has fostered integration efforts, service expansion, partnerships and prevention initiatives. She is a passionate advocate for vulnerable people in Logan, and has played key roles in initiatives including Logan Together and Logan City of Choice and Not Now, Not Ever in Logan.
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In 2022 she was awarded Member of the Order of Australia in recognition of her many years of service to Logan, to young people and to the community sector.
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Thank you Cath! Your contribution to young people and their families has known no bounds. QYHC wishes you the very best in your upcoming adventures.
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K’gari Again
Formerly Fraser Island is now officially known as K’gari, the name the traditional owners gave the island over 60,000 years ago. A smoking ceremony, traditional song and dance and a formal plaque unveilling were done to welcome guests on Country. Additionally, K’gari- the white spirit sent down to create the land and the seas was welcomed by the Butchulla people- the traditional owners. As well as this, 19 hectares of land was transferred to the Butchulla Aboriginal Coorporation. A momentous occasion for everyone connected to this sacred island.
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Finding Freedom
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Currently, more than 100 million people are displaced globally, yet only 30 countries offer only 100,000 annual resettlement places. From the 18-24th of June we acknowledged this crisis during annual refugee week. With this year’s theme of finding freedom, Australians came together to acknowledge, reflect on and celebrate the lives and contributions of Australian refuges and people with refugee backgrounds. The theme of finding freedom focuses on the importance of feeling safe where you live and not being surrounded by atrocities such as violence, war and persecution. Read more here.
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Kangaroo for
Child Protection Week
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To raise awareness for child protection week, artists have created an art project - a kangaroo that can be assembled and decorated by children of all ages. The kangaroo was chosen for its ability to leap forward and away from unpleasant situations. They also protect their young and keep them in a pouch until they’re old enough to fend for themselves. Communties are urged to come together in doing this project to highlight the important message that child protection is everyone’s business. Read more here.
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NCYHC 2023
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This year from the 24-25 of July The National Children & Youth Homelessness Conference will be held in Melbourne at the Marvel stadium. For those unable to attend due to the cost of flights and accommodation the conference can also be accessed live online. This conference is the only national event focusing on children and youth homelessness as well as creating a collaborative national plan to address these issues. Don’t miss out on this incredible opportunity! For more information click here.
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Our Place Action Plan:
Have Your Say
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You're invited to have your say on a new four year
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Information requested includes:
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- The housing challenges you face now
- How we can help your community
- What the new action plan should focus on.
You can have your say by completing the online survey, sending an organisational submission or attending a Yarning Circle near you.
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National NAIDOC Week celebrations are held across Australia in the first week of July each year, to celebrate and recognise the history, culture and achievements of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples.
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NAIDOC Week is an opportunity for all Australians to learn about First Nations cultures and histories and participate in celebrations of the oldest, continuous living cultures on earth.
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You can support and get to know your local Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander communities through activities and events held across the country.
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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. June 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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Coercive Control Literature Review
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Supporting Trauma and Neurodiversity Workshop
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Learn important strategies and information to help assist in providing essential knowledge based care. Tuesday the 11th of July 2023. More information here.
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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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Find the dates and register here.
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Young People Living with Parents
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Leaving the parental home typically represents one of the main steps that young people make in the transition to an independent adult life. AIF’s latest facts & figures show that young people are increasingly living with their parents well into their late teens and early twenties. Read the research paper here 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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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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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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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 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. Join the campaign here.
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The current focus is fair and affordable rents. We need to cap rental increases in line with the CPI. Queensland rents have gone up by an average of $104 per week in the last year. IT’S TIME TO MAKE RENTING FAIR.
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We are seeing unreasonable rent increases occurring across Queensland. Rental prices are increasing at more than three times the overall rate of the cost-of-living – an average of $104 per week. This is unsustainable. We’re calling for rent rises to be restricted to once per annum at the rate of CPI.
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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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Homelessness Week 2023
7-13 August
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Every year, Homelessness Australia hosts Homelessness Week. In preparation for the Federal Government’s 10-year housing and homelessness plan, this year the theme is:
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"It is time to end homelessness".
This is an opportunity to achieve the scope and scale of changes that are needed to end homelessness. Government needs to be ambitious about what can be achieved. To support Homelessness Australia, check out the supporter pack here.
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National Housing Conference 2023
10-12 October
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