housing

Speaking Truth to Power

Dr Lindy Annakin will be addressing many questions about advocacy, speaking out and listening to those who do so in her keynote presentation at QYHC’s Platform 1225 Forum. She’s dedicated her life and work to honesty and truth and finding ways through complex systems to enable those telling their stories to be heard. She’s committed herself to this process through her PhD on whistleblowing entitled: In the Public Interest or Out of Desperation? She’s further advanced her work through various roles in the government and non-government sector and as the lead writer of the out-of-home care chapter of the Final Report of the Royal Commission into Institutional Responses to Child Sexual Abuse. Read more about our conversation with Dr Annakin here

A tribute to a Youth Advocate and Sector Stalwart

Kerry Clayton has spent decades working in the youth sector to improve the lives of young people. He’s been a leader, mentor, advocate and committed practitioner who has seen significant change. Kerry recently retired after 40 years working in the sector.

So as Kerry headed off into retirement from his position with Wesley Mission, he took a moment to chat with us and look back on his working life.

Read more about our conversation with Kerry here

Thank you Kerry for your unwavering commitment.
YAC
Here’s the updated version of the COVID-19 fact sheet for young people. Many thanks to the Youth Advocacy Centre for keeping us all abreast of this information. Read the fact sheet here

Innovation in Domestic and Family Violence

Hon Di Farmer, Minister for Child Safety, Youth and Women and Minister for the Prevention of Domestic and Family Violence announced the development of a bystander app this month. The app will empower bystanders with the information they need to make informed decisions and intervene in safe and respectful ways. Minister Farmer also noted outcomes of the May Domestic and Family Violence Summit. Several key issues and possible solutions were identified, including housing, integrating services, the need to engage all Queenslanders in supporting victims of domestic and family violence, and the specific needs of vulnerable groups.

The Queensland Government has also launched a new awareness campaign to support Queenslanders affected by domestic and family violence during the COVID-19 pandemic.

QShelter has developed online learning, Developing the Housing and Homelessness Workforce Response to Domestic and Family Violence. This features a series of micro-learning videos and online tools to assist those in the community housing and homelessness sector to better recognise and respond to DFV. Access the resources here

SECTOR/GOVERNMENT INITIATIVES

Changing Tracks Action Plan

In Queensland, Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander children and young people comprise 8% of the population aged 0-17 years, yet as at 30 June, 2019 represented 42.7% of all children in care. The Changing Tracks Action Plan is the second in a series designed to create a system that recognises and builds on the strengths and resilience of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander families, communities and culture to reduce over-representation in the child protection system. You can find the action plan here
QFCC Survey

Growing up in Queensland Survey for Young People

Every two years, The Queensland Family and Child Commission (QFCC) asks children and young people across the state what it’s like to grow up in Queensland. The survey for 13-18 year olds can be found here.

On Country

Three community-led organisations have been awarded contracts to deliver trials of ‘On Country’ programs in Townsville, Mount Isa and Cairns, following an open tender process.

Approximately $5.8 million has been allocated over four years for the delivery of the program across north Queensland, which aims to reduce offending and reoffending with intensive supervision and an immersive cultural experience for young offenders for six to eight weeks. The organisations that will deliver the programs are:
  • Jabalbina Yalanji Aboriginal Corporation - Cairns.
  • Mona Aboriginal Corporation - Mount Isa.
  • Gr8Motive Aboriginal Corporation - Townsville.
More information about the On Country program is available here.

Annual Youth Survey

The 2020 Mission Australia Youth Survey is now open.
The survey is Australia’s largest online youth survey, providing a platform for young people aged 15 to 19 to ‘speak up’ about the issues that concern them. Read more or complete the survey here

EVENTS / GRANTS

Mental health week

Toowoomba Grants

Community Support grants of up to $2,500 are available through Toowoomba Regional Council. Applications close 1st August. Find out more here
Grants are available for Queensland Mental Health Week, 10-18th October 2020. Queensland Alliance for Mental Health (QAMH) on behalf of the Queensland Mental Health Commission (QMHC) is offering grants to organisations across Queensland to host community awareness events and activities that will:
  • Increase community awareness of, and engagement in, mental health and wellbeing.
  • Promote education and understanding of mental illness.
  • Foster inclusion of those living with mental illness, their families, carers, and support people.
Grants close 5pm, July 24, 2020.
Apply here

Calling Queensland Housing and Homelessness Leaders

QShelter invites you to join fellow leaders from Queensland's housing and homelessness sector. The forum is themed Beyond COVID-19 and will be an opportunity for the sector to come together to review responses to COVID-19 and talk about stimulus for social and affordable housing.

Thursday 30 July 2020 from 2.00pm to 4.30pm
Dr Tim Williams, Australasian Cities Leader ARUP will speak at this event. Panelists include:
Kristy Chessher-Brown, CEO UDIA Qld;
Wendy Hayhurst, CEO CHIA;
Andrew Elvin, CEO Coast2Bay Housing Group
Register here

RESOURCES

Probono Australia

In an article written for Probono Australia, a young person outlines their perspectives on why youth services must be accessible. In doing so they provide useful tips for services. Read the article here

Community Door

Community Door has relaunched with a fresh new look and modern search features. It offers sector news, up-to-date training, funding opportunities, government updates, and the latest COVID-19 advice.
Find community door here

Responding to children and young people during COVID-19

ACU has developed and collated a number of practice resources to assist practitioners to put children and young people at the heart of professional practice.
Resources are available here

Online Mental Health First Aid Workshop

In response to COVID-19, Mental Health First Aid Australia has released a series of blended online courses for workplaces and the community. Training consists of a self-paced eLearning component and face-to-face online workshops with an instructor. More information is available here

Tools and resources for community organisations

Institute of Community Directors Australia, an enterprise of ourcommunity.com.au, has resources for community sector organisations such as: webinars, finance related help sheets, resources for board members and a policy bank. Some resources are free and others are members only. Find out more here.

Free training: Gender Identity: Exploring the intersection of health and education outcomes with human rights

Providing safe, empowering and inclusive environments for young people who identify as transgender, gender diverse or non-binary, is essential to optimising their physical and emotional well-being and education outcomes. This exciting line up of guest speakers will provide psychological, legislative and lived experience perspectives on how inclusive practice can support achieving equity in health and education outcomes for trans and gender diverse youth. Preventing practice that may unintentionally contribute to systemic oppression or discrimination with this minority group will be discussed. Find out more here.

PUBLICATIONS, REPORTS AND SUBMISSIONS

ahuri article
The recently released AHURI report: “Supporting families effectively through the homelessness services system” investigates what an effective system could be. It identifies the disproportionate increase in the number of homeless families over the last few years due to domestic and family violence, poverty and a lack of affordable and suitable accommodation. The importance of the service system responding to both structural and individual drivers of homelessness is identified. It proposes early intervention and prevention as critical elements of homelessness policy and practice. The report places Specialist Homelessness Services within the broader service system. Read more here

CAMPAIGNS

make renting fair
Real renting stories can help us push for better laws. The alliance would like to hear stories from tenants about their experiences during COVID-19. If you have had problems with renting during COVID, please complete the survey here.
youth day
International Youth Day is held on the 12th August. For more information click here
QYHC logo 2020
Queensland Youth Housing Coalition is a state-wide coalition of organisations and individuals advocating for and with young people who are homeless or at risk and the services that support them.

The vision of the Queensland Youth Housing Coalition is: All young people need a safe and secure home to be included in our society and experience holistic wellbeing.

The time of year has come to call for QYHC membership for the 2020-2021 financial year. You can submit your application here or contact Mel at admin@qyhc.org.au or on 0460 410 612.

SIGNIFICANT DATES

logo-everyoneshome
Childrens day
The Everybody’s Home campaign is asking State, Territory and Federal governments to do 5 simple things to fix Australia’s housing system so that it works for everyone. This includes a plan to halve homelessness in 5 years, and end it in 10. Find out more about the plan to end homelessness, and how to get involved in the campaign here.

National Homelessness Week

3-8 AUGUST 2020
Due to COVID-19 National Homelessness Week will be held via media and social media. It will advocate for recognition of the economic impact of COVID-19, the likely increase in homelessness and the need for investment in social housing. This will be tied to the Everybody’s Home Campaign.

The 2020 theme is ‘Everybody needs a home’. This theme reflects the impact the pandemic and the bushfires have had on people who have lost their homes. During the week, people will be asked to contact their local MP to sign a pledge supporting investment in social housing. Find out more here

Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Children's Day

The theme this year is: We are the Elders of tomorrow, HEAR OUR VOICE.

The majority of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander children are thriving and growing up strong in their cultures, with support from their families and communities.

However, a significant number continue to face ongoing challenges stemming from colonisation and its effects. This includes discrimination, poverty, systemic removal, intergenerational trauma, dislocation from land and culture, and community disempowerment.

To achieve equality, we must approach these challenges through a holistic approach, considering Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander children’s wellbeing, safety and development. Find more information and resources to hold an event here
Drink-Coffee-Help-Your-Hood-web-banner-1600x600-FINAL-1536x576
Support a cafe that gives back to its local Community - 13th to 19th July. Find out more here

IN THE MEDIA

news desk
new invite
facebook