housing

Stand by Her: The Importance of Social Response

DV Jane
May is Domestic and Family Violence Prevention (DFVP) Month. It is held each year to raise community awareness and promote a clear message that domestic and family violence will not be tolerated in our communities. The impact of domestic and family violence is overwhelming. It is also the leading cause of youth homelessness.

A woman has been murdered by a partner or former partner every 3 days during DFVP Month so far. By May 18th 6 women have died at the hands of their current or former partner.

Over the years the Queensland government and partners have worked tirelessly to say Not Now Not Ever together to end the scourge of domestic and family violence. The commitment is solid, the resources are forthcoming, laws have been changed and partnerships including a taskforce are in place. Across the country many similar endeavours are evident. Yet during May more women died at the hands of those who were meant to love and care for them.

It is clear that there is no holy grail in ending domestic and family violence. Halting the behaviour of those who exert power over others is proving to be a mission. Hopefully it’s not a mission impossible.

After years of campaigning we’re beginning to recognise that relationships are mutual but violence certainly isn’t. For decades both were intertwined in the systems responses to those experiencing violence at the hands of a partner or former partner.

Whilst we focus attention on women and children in the prevention of domestic and family violence in our society because they are so regularly the targets of violence, it appears that in truth that domestic and family violence has nothing to do with women and children...

Read more here.

COVID-19

New rules about travel, visitors and going out. For more information and updates, click the picture below.
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Youth Advocacy Centre - COVID Factsheet for young people

Youth Advocacy Centre (YAC) have created a fact sheet for young people about what COVID-19 might mean for them. For more information and updates, click here.
DFV Month
May is Domestic & Family Violence Prevention Month. It is held each year to raise community awareness and promote a clear message that domestic and family violence will not be tolerated in our communities.

If you are experiencing domestic and family violence, please call DVConnect to help you find a pathway to safety.
  • Womensline 1800 811 811, anytime 24/7
  • Mensline 1800 600 636, between 9am – midnight, 7 days
Click here for Domestic Violence Statistics.

SECTOR AND GOVERNMENT INITIATIVES

Rental reforms during COVID-19

The Queensland government has implemented measures to give effect to the moratorium on evictions for residential tenancies announced by the Federal Government.

For more information go to Tenants Queensland or Queensland Government.

TQ

New Social Housing Form

The Department of Housing and Public Works has released a new Housing Assistance Application form. There have been some changes that we hope will assist young people to access Social Housing. You can find the new form here.
Child safety

Calling on Parents with Child Protection Experience

The Family Inclusion Network (FIN) Southeast Queensland is calling on Parents with a child protection interaction to share your experiences during COVID-19! Were you in the first group that went back to school? Are services and supports there - more or less? Have you had an experience with 'telelink' court?

FIN and Queensland Parent Advisory Committee (QPAC) members are meeting with the Minister and government representatives on a regular basis and would love to hear from you.

Please complete the survey here.
national families week
Today concludes National Families Week @HOME. The aim of the Week is to celebrate the vital role that families play in Australian society. It is a time to celebrate the meaning of family and to make the most of family life. More on National Families Week here
volunteer week
Did you know there are 714,138 Queenslanders who volunteer? This week is National Volunteer Week - the annual celebration to acknowledge the generous contribution of our nation’s volunteers. This year's theme is Changing Communities. Changing Lives. Find out how you can get involved here.

RESOURCES

Free Fundraising Webinar Friday 22 May!

Join the Institute of Community Directors Australia's Lisa Jennings for a free webinar which will take an in-depth look at the 7 pillars of fundraising all organisations can consider to prop up their fundraising strategy.

Register here
kindness
sistergirl brother boy pic
Did you know that LGBTIQAP+ Sistergirl and Brotherboy young people are significantly over-represented in experiences of homelessness and housing issues? Luckily, workers and organisations can take many steps to make their practice more affirming and inclusive, which significantly improves access to housing and support, as well as mental health outcomes. A practice guide and other resources developed by Youth Advocacy Centre and Open Doors, funded by Brisbane City Council can be found here.

PUBLICATIONS, REPORTS AND SUBMISSIONS

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AHURI


What is at stake for people experiencing homelessness during the coronavirus pandemic? AHURI looks into responses in Australia and internationally.

Read the brief here

Redesign of a homelessness service system for young people

In April, the Australian Housing and Urban Research Institute (AHURI) held a webinar exploring the Redesign of a homelessness service system for young people.

The research project was aimed at identifying and proposing measures that could reduce youth homelessness and lead to improved outcomes for young people who experience homelessness. It was highlighted that a large percentage of individuals seeking assistance from Specialist Homelessness Services (SHS’s) were children and young people (44%) with about 42,000 of these being young people 15-24 on their own.

Read the rest of this blog here. Access the research reports and webinar recording here.

Parity’s Youth Edition 2020

An absolute bumper of an edition, April’s Parity Magazine focused on: A Better Way Forward: New Developments and Initiatives in the Response to Youth Homelessness was launched on Friday 15th May. With articles from across the country, including several Queensland contributions, there is something for everyone in this special youth edition. Several articles capture the experience of young people and services across the country during COVID-19.
View here

Do you have an article to contribute to June’s Parity Magazine -

Reforming Private Rental?

Reforming Private Rental edition. The aim of the June edition of Parity is to analyse and discuss proposals for the reform of the different residential tenancies legislation in the states and territories. In particular, to see if proposed reforms will make private rental more accessible, and as importantly, more secure and sustainable to those experiencing, or at risk of, homelessness. Read here

GRANTS AND AWARDS

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Nominate for a Youth Participation Award

Plus 10 other Queensland Child Protection Week Award categories
Nominations for Queensland Child Protection Week Awards close on May 28th.

The annual Queensland Child Protection Awards provide an opportunity to publicly acknowledge the efforts, commitment and unreserved energy of many people who make a significant contribution to our community to prevent child harm and neglect by supporting children, young people, families and communities.. There are 11 Award categories to choose from. Nominate here.

CAMPAIGNS

Make renting fair
The need for a fairer framework for tenants has been highlighted as a result of COVID-19. During this unprecedented community crisis, the Make Renting Fair team is continuing to advocate for better long-term tenancy laws. Stay up to date with the work of the alliance on the MRFQ facebook page or website.
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raise_the_rate_logo

Many in the youth sector have advocated over many years to increase the rate of income support. There had been no real increase in the rate of payments until April when we saw the highest increase in unemployment in Australia for decades as a result of the pandemic.

The Australian Government’s Senate Standing Committee on Community Affairs has released its report from the Inquiry into the adequacy of Newstart and related payments and alternative mechanisms to determine the level of income support payments in Australia. The Committee makes a number of recommendations, including that the rates of income support payments are increased to ensure that all eligible recipients do not live in poverty.

ACOSS is leading a campaign to Raise the Rate.
Sign up to the Raise The Rate campaign here.
Register here to contact your MP to share your story about being on JobSeeker or Newstart, now, or in the past. ACOSS can support you to tell your story.

IN THE MEDIA

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