housing

April 2021 Edition

Youth Homelessness Matters

For Youth Homelessness Matters Day (YHMD) 2021, an annual national awareness campaign, Queensland Youth Housing Coalition (QYHC) created 2021 YHMD Posters sharing young people’s thoughts about why youth homelessness matters and what we can do to best address the needs of young people who experience homelessness.

Minister for Communities and Housing, Hon Leeanne Enoch graciously took time out of her busy schedule to accept copies of our posters at Parliament House on YHMD - 21st April.
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Minister Enoch Addresses Youth Workers on YHMD

QYHC joined with the Youth Advocacy Centre (YAC) to bring Laying Down the Law to specialist youth homelessness service workers. This 2 day workshop began on YHMD and offered key information to workers to assist them towards an enhanced understanding of how the law works, particularly within the context of youth justice and child protection.

Youth Workers attending this training on Youth Homelessness Matters Day (YHMD) were delighted to be addressed by Minister Leeanne Enoch who thanked Queensland’s front line workers for the tireless work they do in supporting marginalised young people in our communities.

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Our government understands the importance of tackling homelessness – especially in young people - which is why $36.1 million has been allocated in Homelessness Program funding. This will fund 39 non-government organisations to deliver 61 specialist homelessness services across Queensland, which will deliver temporary supported accommodation and other support services especially for young people.

Minister Enoch then asked youth workers to prioritise 5 key needs for young people and the youth housing and homelessness sector. Her attendance at this event enhanced an already buoyed atmosphere of youth workers coming together to discuss practice improvement and advocacy needs of the young people they work alongside each day.

Everybody’s Home
YHMD Campaign

Many organisations around Queensland and across Australia took part in highlighting that youth homelessness matters during YHMD by offering innovative projects and messaging.

Everybody’s Home Campaign ran a specific YHMD petition with important messages to the Federal Housing Minister.

Please click here to sign the petition to build more social housing for young people, and to increase funding for homelessness services to ensure young people can access the support they need.

APPLY NOW for Indigenous Youth Leadership Program

Quick you still have time! The application closing date for this year’s Queensland Indigenous Youth Leadership Program has been extended to midnight, Wednesday 5 May 2021.

This exciting opportunity is open to Aboriginal or Torres Strait Islanders, aged between 18 and 25 years, who are passionate about driving change in their local Queensland community. Many participants have graduated with the skills they need to excel at their career aspirations.

It will be held in Brisbane from 26 June to 1 July 2021, with all travel, meals and accommodation provided.
Apply here
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PARITY’s April Youth Edition

QYHC is pleased to be a sponsor of Parity’s April Youth Edition: The Future of Youth Housing. We also contributed an opinion page. Read more here
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Foyer Life Conference

Showcasing Foyer Life and bringing together young people, policy makers, practitioners, accredited/ accrediting Foyers and those with a passion to end youth homelessness from across Australia to learn, engage and network together.
Featuring a range of speakers and topics over 2 days, to share how the evidence informed Foyer model and supporting partners/stakeholders can collaborate and commit to ending youth homelessness at a national, state and local level. Showcasing topics such as:
  • The lived experience by our young people
  • Innovation, policy and funding within youth homelessness sector
  • Culturally safe and diverse Foyers
  • Impact and outcomes for young people post Foyer Life
  • Accreditation, practice, development and Advantaged Thinking
For more information, click here
Early bird tickets now available, click here
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Domestic and Family Violence Prevention Month

Each May, Queensland marks Domestic and Family Violence Prevention Month (DFVP Month) to raise community awareness of domestic and family violence and to send a clear message that domestic and family violence in families and homes will not be tolerated. The Special Taskforce on Domestic and Family Violence in Queensland in its ‘Not Now, Not Ever’ report recommended that individuals, community groups and the private sector work together to help prevent domestic and family violence and support those affected.

The awareness raising events, projects or activities held during DFVP Month each year support the Queensland Government’s response to the ‘Not Now, Not Ever’ report.

View DFV Prevention Month events across Queensland here

For information on Respectful relationships for young people, click here

Under 18s Domestic Violence Matters

YAC’s legal team can give you advice if you are:
  • the aggrieved
  • the respondent
  • a named person
They can also assist you to make an application for a protection order, vary conditions of a protection order, or if you have breached a protection order.
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Adjust our settings
An approach to cyberbullying

In line with the recommendations of Adjust our settings – A community approach to address cyberbullying among children and young people in Queensland; Department of Communities, Housing and Digital Economy in consultation with QYHC have developed internet-based resources, available here.

In October 2020, the Human Services Quality Framework (HSQF) was amended to include a requirement to have anti-cyberbullying policies and procedures in place.
This can be viewed here (refer to page 100).
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Why attend NYHC?

For over a decade, the homelessness sector has called for a national strategy to end child and youth homelessness. Yet it remains a persistent issue, and has undoubtedly been exacerbated by the COVID-19 pandemic. As a result, NYHC2021 will aim to mobilise a collective commitment to developing a joint NGO-Government national strategy to end child and youth homelessness. This is a unique and new approach in Australia. Register here

Parliamentary Friends of First Nations People

History was made on 20th April with the inaugural Parliamentary Friends of First Nations Peoples event.

"For more than 150 years the Queensland Parliament through its elected members has determined legislation that has impacted First Nations Peoples in ways that have not always been positive – much of which has led to inter-generational trauma that is still being felt today." - Hon Leeanne Enoch, Co-Chair.

This non-partisan group has been formed as a place to hold important and truthful conversations as everyone – no matter which side of politics they are from – can and should work together towards reconciliation and a prosperous future for all.

“Queensland is home to two of the world’s longest continuous living cultures in Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Peoples,” Ms Enoch said.

Ms Lui said for the first time in history, Queensland currently has three First Nations people hold seats in the Queensland Parliament at the same time.
“We’ve come a long way, but there is still more work to do, and this is what the Parliamentary Friends of First Nations People will achieve.”

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The group is co-chaired by:
  • Minister for Communities and Housing, Member for Algester and proud Quandamooka woman Leeanne Enoch
  • Member for Cook and proud Kulkalgal woman from the Torres Strait Cynthia Lui
  • Member for Bundamba and Gubbi Gubbi man Lance McCallum
  • Minister for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Partnerships Craig Crawford
  • Member for Southport Rob Molhoek
  • Member for Noosa Sandy Bolton
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QCPW Grants

The Queensland Child Protection Week Committee is accepting applications for the following grants:
  • Activity Grants
  • Regional Grants
  • North Queensland
  • Central Queensland
  • Moreton
  • South East
  • South West
  • Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Community Engagement Grants
Grant applications must be received by close of business Friday 14 May 2021 Apply here

Child Protection AWARDS

Nominations are open for QCPW 2021 Awards.

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.

It is hoped the awards will inspire others to continue to work towards ensuring the wellbeing of our children.

NOMINATIONS CLOSE FRIDAY 28 MAY 2021

Click here to nominate now

Lobby for Homelessness services ERO Funding

The Services Union is running a petition in partnership with Homelessness Australia calling on the Federal Government to continue the funding for the Equal Remuneration Order (ERO).

In 2012 the Fair Work Commission made a landmark decision to raise the wages of workers in the social, community and disability sectors, through the ERO.

In 2020 the Federal Government announced that they would lift the base funding in the Department of Social Services Grants to cover the costs of the ERO into the future. This covers the following Federal programs funded by Department of Social Services: Youth, Disability, Families, Financial Counselling, & Emergency Relief. However, this does not include Housing and Homelessness Services.
Please sign the petition here
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Fact sheets for Flood affected Tenants

Tenants Queensland Fact sheet provides information for Tenants affected by storm or flood. In particular it provides information on options for tenants who may be affected by the flooding and storm damage due to recent weather experiences across Queensland.

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This factsheet covers topics including:
  • If you want to leave
  • If the lessor wants you to leave
  • If you want to stay
  • Bond
  • Rent
  • Repairs
  • Cleaning due to flood damage
  • Compensation
Read the factsheet here
For additional information or tenancy advice call QSTARS on 1300 744 263.

Youth Justice Act Update

The Parliament passed amendments to the Youth Justice Act 1992 on 23rd April as part of the Youth Justice and Other Legislation Amendment Bill 2021.

These legislative amendments will be supported by over $98 million in new funding over four years. This includes $60.1 million to continue existing programs showing success in targeting the small proportion of youth offenders that account for a large proportion of all youth crime, plus an additional $38.3 million to implement the electronic monitoring trial and extend the availability of after-hours support and wraparound services.

The amendments will commence on assent, although the electronic monitoring provisions will not be operational until the Youth Justice Regulation 2016 is amended to prescribe the areas in which those provisions will apply. Plans for those amendments are well advanced.

Fact sheets with additional detail about the changes are available here
The amending Bill, Explanatory Notes, and Human Rights Statement of Compatibility are available here

Job Club for Young People

Get Set for Work (Youth Job Club) for 2021 is back in Stafford this year. This program is of no cost to eligible participants and includes:
  • A Certificate II in Skills for Work & Vocational Pathways
  • Responsible Service of Alcohol, First Aid and/or
  • Construction White Card
  • Extensive wrap-around support by a qualified Career Counsellor and dedicated team
This is a 14 week course for 15-19yr olds, supporting young people to succeed.
The next intake starts 27th April 2021.

To register interest, click here
For more information visit the website here or call 3719 3177 or 0468 783 254
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THURSDAY 20 MAY 2021
AHURI’s first hybrid event being held simultaneously in-person in Melbourne or online.

Long held assumptions about the development of Australian cities have been up-ended by the COVID-19 crisis. The expectation of high and continuous population growth has been undermined and, at the same time, the way we live and work has changed. While we have learned that our systems have capacity and resilience in a time of crisis, new vulnerabilities and hazards have also been exposed.

More information here

Find services in oneplace

oneplace is an online directory for Queensland parents, families and professionals that lists community service throughout Queensland.

There are more than 58,000 services that provide help with a range of issues including parenting, domestic and family violence, legal issues, mental health and counselling, housing, financial and food assistance.
It is free and easy to use.

Visit the oneplace website here
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QYHC joins Queensland Housing & Homelessness Peaks’ Partnership

In partnership with peak and industry associations: QShelter, CHIA, CSIA and CHPQ, we are proposing 5 high level policy directions for the Queensland State Budget Submission including more social and affordable housing, planning reforms, strategic approaches to identifying and securing land, investment in additional support as well as service integration and the effective coordination of State agencies.
The Queensland Housing and Homelessness Peaks’ Partnership will work to support these initiatives and will foster dialogue to advance solutions that involve all levels of Government, the community services sector, private sector and broader community.

Q Shelter Learning Exchange:
A focus on the next Housing Action Plan for Queensland

Q Shelter is working with CSIA, CHIA Qld, Council for Homeless Persons and Queensland Youth Housing Coalition to gather sector input to the next Housing Action Plan for Queensland.

This Learning Exchange is an opportunity to gather ideas specific to particular population groups and regions as well as state-wide initiatives that ensure an effective policy framework for ending homelessness.

Tuesday 4 May, 3.30-5.00pm (longer session)
Register here

Human Rights in Housing and Homelessness

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A human rights-based
complaints process Workshop

Homelessness and housing service providers who give service users safe and supportive avenues to advocate for their human rights, create an environment in which their clients thrive and their services improve.

At this practical, hands-on workshop, participants will have the opportunity to review and refine their existing complaints procedures in a group work setting.

The session will also cover the legislative requirements of a human rights-based complaints process and how it should be implemented.

Please bring your own complaints documents to workshop them with colleagues across the sector.

20 May 2021, 2.30pm-4.00pm via Zoom
Register here

Introducing the Human Rights Act 2019 (Qld) to new staff/others

The following resources are introductory, designed to introduce the Human Rights Act 2019 (Qld). These are helpful resources for staff and board member induction processes.

Truth, Healing and Reconciliation on the Gold Coast

The Truth, Healing and Reconciliation Taskforce invites service providers, people with lived experience of institutional child sexual abuse and their supporters to find out more on the Royal Commission into Institutional Responses to Child Sexual Abuse and the National Redress Scheme.

Speakers at the forum will include:
Mr Robert (Bob) Atkinson, former Commissioner Royal Commission into Institutional Responses to Child Sexual Abuse and Chair, Truth, Healing and Reconciliation Taskforce (Queensland) and knowmore Legal Service. Members of the Truth, Healing and Reconciliation Taskforce, some who have lived experience of institutional child sexual abuse will be in attendance at the forum.
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Friday 21 May 2021, 9.30 am to 3.00 pm
Novotel Hotel & Resort
3105 Surfers Paradise Blvd, Surfers Paradise

For more information please contact Kelly Lotz, Department of Children, Youth Justice and Multicultural Affairs on 3097 5793 or by email

0% of rentals are affordable for a person on Youth Allowance -
including sharehouses!

RAS Concept 2 final v1
Anglicare’s 2021 Rental Affordability Snapshot shows growing concerns for access to the rental market, especially for young people. Australians are facing a rental market that has never been less affordable. The Snapshot surveyed over 74,000 rental listings across Australia and found that affordability has crashed to record lows. Young people on youth allowance have no access to the rental market.

Read the report here

2021 Census

The Australian Bureau of Statistics is working with the housing and homelessness sector in preparation for Census 2021. QYHC is working with Census staff to assist them in ensuring the most accurate count of Queensland’s homeless young people possible. We’re currently identifying hot spots for young people sleeping rough and those couch surfing.
If you have any information to share, please contact Lorraine on 0448 073 463
Census 2021 is about to release the Youth Strategy, and are seeking young people who have had lived experiences of homelessness/service systems to apply to become Youth Ambassadors.
This involves speaking engagements in schools or where required. Training and support provided.

Register interest here
Census supporters Information here

Housing and the NDIS

Across April and May, Housing Hub are hosting Housing Connection Events across Queensland to create lasting networks between Specialist Disability Accommodation (SDA) and NDIS participants. These events are targeted towards NDIS participants and their families, SDA providers, support coordinators, allied health professionals, and anyone else interested in SDA. Upcoming events are being held:
  • 4th May: Cairns
  • 11th May: Brisbane
  • 18th May: Toowoomba
  • 25th May: Bundaberg
  • 28th May: Townsville
For more information, click here

Sexual Assault is Never Okay…

April was Sexual Assault Awareness Month (SAAM), which aims to increase public awareness around the issue of sexual assault and educate individuals and communities on how we can all play a part in prevention.

The SAAM campaign addresses a broad range of issues, including sexual health and consent, and engages with diverse populations by developing culturally sensitive foreign-language materials.
The theme of this year is #ConsentRULES.

Find out more here

IN THE NEWS

It’s time to build a healthier world, for everyone!
April 7th 2021 was World Health Day, an opportunity to celebrate and discuss how we can create a fairer and healthier world. As COVID-19 has highlighted, some people are able to live healthier lives and have access to better health services than others.
This leads to some people unfairly struggling to meet ends meet with little daily income, poorer housing and education conditions, greater gender inequality, and little or no access to safety, clean water, food security, and health services. To read more about these preventable issues, access the WHO article here
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