Subject:                                     INFORM Monday 17 October 2011

 

 

 

INFORM online click here    

Your feedback / unsubscribe / subscribe: media@homelessnessaustralia.org.au

 

HOMELESSNESS

AUSTRALIA

Creating a framework for ending homelessness

 

 

17 October 2011

INFORM                                     

Weekly e-bulletin of advocacy, research and policy in homelessness.

Homelessness Australia - the peak national body for the homelessness support sector.


NEWS of the WEEK                                       WEB     E    TW     FB    LINK

 

AWARDS

National Homelessness Services Achievement Awards

Australians are encouraged to nominate outstanding organisations committed to addressing homelessness in the first-ever National Homelessness Services Achievement Awards. Nominations open today in seven categories, which celebrate excellence, quality, innovation and achievement by homelessness service providers. Nominations for the Awards close on Friday 25 November, Sen the Hon Mark Arbib. Nominations here.

 

Equator Prize 2012

The Equator Initiative is pleased to announce the call for nominations for the Equator Prize 2012, which will recognize 25 outstanding local initiatives that are working to advance sustainable development solutions for people, nature and resilient communities. Nominations close 31 October 2011. Video on You Tube. Prize website.

 

CAMPAIGN

Australians for Affordable Housing

Nearly one in ten Australia households are in housing stress. A startling 460,000 households spend more than half of their income on housing costs. It’s time to make some noise about housing affordability. Website. Facebook: www.facebook.com/housingstressed  

 

Tell the Government: Don’t Abandon Homelands

The government needs to hear from you and the thousands of Australians who don’t want to see another mistake on Aboriginal policy. Amnesty International Australia.

 

Every Australian Counts

Australians with a disability, their families and carers deserve a fair go. It's time to make every Australian count. Website.

 

Build Communities Not Prisons

A campaign supported by people who believe that building more prisons and sending more people to prison is not the best way to improve community safety.

 

End Youth Homelessness

Virgin Unite also has a national petition running on their website and we are encouraging as many people as possible to join.

 

MEMBERSHIP

Past issues of HA News here. Receive current issues if you become a HA Member...

HA Membership time! Renew or join us...

Homelessness Australia invites you to read our brochure and think about becoming a member.

 

POSITIONS VACANT

Homelessness Policy Officer Position
NT Shelter is currently recruiting for the position of Homelessness Policy Officer, applications close on Friday, 28 October 2011. For a copy of the position description click here or to see the position advertisement click here. All enquiries regarding this position can be made to Toni Vine Bromley on 08 8981 5003 or eo@ntshelter.org.au.

 

Housing & Homelessness Services jobs in Australia

 

CREATE Foundation

Positions Currently Available

 

Part-time GPs required (ongoing)

Mobile GP is a non-government agency providing health services to the homeless and marginalised. For further information, please call Stephanie Dunstan on 0457 925 357 or email steph.dunstan@mobilegp.org.au

 

EVENTS
OCTOBER

Site UnSeen

Site UnSeen will be the voicing of the unvoiced, the sight of the unseen, an event-packed exploration of everyday social exclusion with a special focus on homelessness. 6  - 22 October, Theatre Works St Kilda. Event website.

 

What Does Home Mean to You?

The opening of HomeGround’s ‘What Does Home Mean to You?’ art exhibition Thursday 20 October 5.30pm - 6.30pm. Artworks will also be on display from 17 October - 28 October at The Social Studio, 128 Smith St, Collingwood. RSVP: Holly Maclean at 9288 9600 or info@homeground.org.au 

Making a Difference Conference 2011: Breaking through the Barriers

Industry experts from Australia and abroad will share information and ideas on meeting changing client needs and workforce development; supported by speakers who have themselves broken through the barriers either in their professional or personal life and at times in both.  Brisbane, 19 – 20 October. Conference website.

 

Home ownership, risk and the wealth-fare state

From  Brotherhood of St Laurence, Melbourne, 20 October, event website.

 

European Conference, Luxembourg City

This year's annual conference focuses on Quality in social services from the perspective of services working with homeless people 21 October 2011.

 

Anti-Poverty Week Event

Human Rights and Poverty, from St Vincent de Paul, Melbourne, 21 October, event website.

 

Youth Homelessness: Our Forgotten Future

Join Aussie celebrities, entertainers, specialists in the homeless plight and other like-minded guests for a day blending serious issues with loads of entertainment. Sydney, 23 October, event website.

 

PR Directions 2011

An initiative of the Public Relations Institute of Australia (PRIA), PR Directions is the largest and most comprehensive event for public relations and corporate communication professionals in the region.  Sydney, 23 - 25 October, conference website.

 

9th Asia / Oceania Congress of Geriatrics and Gerontology

“Ageing well together: Regional perspectives”,  Melbourne, 23 - 27 October. Conference website.

 

AHURI: Beyond the Current NAHA

What is next for Australian Housing Policy

This conference is timed to make a contribution to the review and reform process associated with developing a new NAHA and it will bring together 300 senior stakeholders, Melbourne, 27 - 28 October, event website.

 

NOVEMBER

Youth Health 2011: Its totally important!

Sydney , 9 - 11 November. Congress website.

Canberra Rape Crisis Centre

The Canberra Rape Crisis Centre will be holding a Gala Fundraising Lunch in Canberra, 10 November. Event webpage.

 

Ride for Home

Melbourne’s most unique and exciting cycling event, and help support Hanover to Break the Cycle of Homelessness.  Melbourne, 13 November. Event website.

 

Growing Up in Australia and Footprints in Time

The LSAC and LSIC Research Conference: Findings from The Longitudinal Study of Australian Children (LSAC) and The Longitudinal Study of Indigenous Children (LSIC).  Melbourne, 15 - 16 November, conference website.

 

LSAC and LSIC Research Conference

Growing Up in Australia and Footprints in time: The combined Longitudinal Study of Australian Children (LSAC) and Longitudinal Study of Indigenous Children (LSIC) Research Conference will be held at Rydges on Swanston, Melbourne, 15 - 16 November. Conference website.

 

International Housing Summit, Holland

The Summit is the only global forum for the affordable housing sector. Rotterdam, 1 - 2 November. Summit website.

 

Date claimer: QYHC Access Forum

Exploring access issues in the specialist homelessness service system,  If people are interested they can call Queensland Youth Housing Coalition on 07 3876 2088 or email admin@qyhc.org.au, or see their Facebook.

 

YFoundations: End Youth Homelessness 2011

YFoundations conference vision for the conference is "think global, act local". It will provide a key opportunity for Specialist Youth Homelessness Services, Mainstream Services, Government Officials, Advocates and Young People to develop networks and contacts throughout and beyond the sector.  Sydney, 22 - 24 November. Conference website.

 

Welfare in a growing economy

The Australian Institute of Health and Welfare is proud to launch their flagship report Australia's welfare 2011 at a national conference in Canberra, 24 November. Conference website.

 

DECEMBER

Safe at Home, Safe at Work: Conference and Workshop

Domestic Violence Workplace Rights and Entitlements Project, Melbourne, 5 - 6 December. Event website.

 

Housing Affordability Congress

The Housing Affordability Congress provides a holistic analysis of issues encompassing housing affordability in the housing industry today.

Melbourne, 14 - 15 December. Conference.

 

Generation Next 2011 events

 

WEEKS & DAYS

Anti-Poverty Week

This week was established in Australia as an expansion of the UN's annual International Anti-Poverty Day on October 17.

 

The main aims of Anti-Poverty Week are to:

    * strengthen public understanding of the causes and consequences of poverty and hardship around the world and in Australia;

    * encourage research, discussion and action to address these problems, including action by individuals, communities, organisations and governments. Click here for website.

 

Global Launch of the International Year of Cooperatives (IYC)

31 October, United Nations Headquarters, New York

 

Social Inclusion Week 19 - 27 November

SIW website.

 

International Day for the Elimination of Violence against Women 25 November

 

White Ribbon, (AUS) 25 November

 

2012

Youth week is 13-22 April and Youth Homelessness Matters Day (YHMD) day is 18 April

 

2012 EVENTS

6th Australasian Housing Researchers' Conference 2012

Housing in an Era of Risk and Crisis, Adelaide, February 8 - 10 2012. Conference website.

 

After Homosexual: The Legacies of Gay Liberation

Melbourne, 2 - 4 February, website.

 

Policy Research Methods Masterclass 2012

Promoting Professional Research, Consultation and Communication Skills for Policy Officers to Develop Robust Evidence-Based Policy. Canberra, 7 - 9 February, website.

 

2nd World Conference of Women’s Shelters

Scholarship applications are now open. Washington DC, 27 February - 1 March, website.

 

Pathways to Housing & DESC Present the First:

Housing First Partners' Conference 2012

New Orleans, 21 - 23 March, conference website.

 

Homelessness Research Conference

From the Australian Housing and Urban Research Institute (AHURI) and RMIT University, Melbourne, 19 - 20 April, conference website.

 

CLCNSW State Conference 2012

Sydney, 8 - 10 May. Conference website.

 

Australian Institute of Family Studies Conference

Melbourne, 25 – 27 July, conference website.

 

3rd National Affordable Housing Exchange

Australia Technology Park, Sydney, 26  - 27 July, conference website.

 

Homeless Persons Week 2012

Monday 6 August – Sunday 12 August

 

7th National Homelessness Conference

Making It Home: The Real Issues in Homelessness

Melbourne Convention and Exhibition Centre 5 - 7 September 2012, conference website.

 

The National Housing Conference

Brisbane, 30 October – 2 November 2012, conference website.

 

NATIONAL

Celebrities sell The Big Issue

Coinciding with Anti-Poverty Week, The Big Issue’s national Celebrity Selling Campaign puts the spotlight on the homeless and disadvantaged people who sell the street magazine. Each celebrity will pair up with a vendor for 30 minutes of selling including our own CEO Nicole Lawder. Read more.

 

Two-speed economy leaves millions going nowhere

Social exclusion is the new poverty. Individuals and whole communities are being left behind in the wake of Australia's accelerating two-speed economy and if we don't take action soon, we risk creating a gulf too large to bridge. The Drum, 17 October.

 

Housing costs pushing families to fringe

Inner-city housing is more affordable for singles and couples without children on incomes over $60,000 than it is for families on incomes of $100,000, a study shows. SMH, 17 October.

 

Households face stark choices as cost inequality bites

New economic data shows cost-of-living pressures on some Australian households have far outpaced CPI figures over the last six years, potentially stripping household savings and exposing more people to the risk of falling into poverty and disadvantage. Report here.

 

Official data shows the rich are getting richer

The rich are getting richer, with the average net worth of the top 20 per cent of households jumping to $2.2 million in 2010, official figures show. ABC News, 14 October.

 

Response to article in The Australian

Gary Johns authored an opinion piece 13 October in The Australian. Many individuals and organisations disagreed with his stance and put forward responses. Homelessness Australia’s response here. Mission Australia here. YFoundations here.

 

Don't ignore Alzheimer's

Think back to some of your fondest memories. Your wedding day. The birth of your first child. First steps. A graduation. That holiday. Remember? The Australian, 13 October.

 

A National Housing plan and a Federal Minister

In order to really address the lack of affordable housing in this country, we need a National Housing plan and a Federal Housing Minister to ensure a more balanced approach to affordable housing. Housing Stressed, 12 October.

 

Tax Reform For All - Not Just The Rich

There was wide agreement at the tax forum that we need tax reform to benefit everyone - not just the wealthy. New Matilda, 11 October.

 

Gearing down for more affordable housing

At last week's Tax Forum, David Koch, once finance reporter, now better known as Sunrise's Kochie, added his voice to the many speaking out against the tax loopholes that distort the property market and push up house prices. SMH, 11 October.

 

Housing affordability: the summit we really need

Various cartoonists and political jokes ran misinformed lines about sundry “elephants in the room” during last week's tax forum but they all missed the biggest one: housing affordability.

SMH, 11 October.

 

Master Builders Australia survey warns of job losses

Building activity and profits in the sector are expected to fall, possibly leading to job losses, a survey shows. Herald Sun, 11 October.

 

Exercise linked to higher test scores

Primary school students who exercise regularly are more likely to have higher NAPLAN test scores in numeracy and writing, according to a landmark study. The Age, 10 October.

 

Senator the Hon Mark Arbib

Latest media releases

 

The Hon Tanya Plibersek MP

Latest media releases

 

The Hon Kate Ellis MP

Latest media releases

 

DEEWR media releases

 

ACT

Not just PM struggling in ACT market

Canberra's first-home buyers saw the price of their dream soar by an average of $23,000 last year. The Canberra Times, 12 October.

 

NSW

CareConnect

Service to help At Risk of Homelessness in Inner West Sydney. Care Connect’s Community Options Program (Housing Support) provides short-term to medium-term support services to people who are at risk of being homeless or being marginally housed. The Program has vacancies now. Please contact Lisa Clarke, Intake Case Manager on (02) 9830 8903 or lallen@careconnect.org.au.

 

Sydney needs co-ordinated structure to solve city problems

Sydney is a great city. In fact, Sydney frequently ranks in the top 10 of the world's great cities. We all know what its attractions are: its magnificent harbour, its beaches, its cultural diversity, and it's vibrant economy. The Telegraph, 17 October.

 

Housing industry calls on Government to simplify Planning Act

The Housing Industry Association says the State Government needs to simplify the new Environmental Planning and Assessment Act. ABC Newcastle, 17 October.

 

How your clubs hit the jackpot

More than $11 billion is pushed through gaming machines in NSW every three months, giving clubs a profit of $800 million. SMH, 16 October.

 

Bankstown goes bush to explore welfare pay clamp

Residents from Bankstown in Sydney have travelled to Central Australia to throw their support behind a push to end income management of welfare payments. ABC News, 14 October.

 

Income Management - In Western Sydney

Community leaders in Bankstown are furious about plans to introduce welfare quarantining. New Matilda, 7 October.

 

NT

Amnesty International criticises outstation policy

Amnesty International says the Australian Government's record on the treatment Indigenous people is "unacceptable". National Indigenous Radio Service, 13 October.

 

Qld

The greatest poverty of all

In light of Anti-Poverty Week, National Shelter is stressing investment in affordable housing is key to relieving poverty in Australia. Queensland Shelter, 17 October.

 

Poverty is still a real problem in the "Lucky Country", says Micah Projects' Karyn Walsh

With more than 400 activities taking place around Australia as part of Anti-Poverty Week 2011 from October 16-22, local organisation Micah Projects has unearthed some startling statistics on poverty right here in Brisbane. The Westender.

 

Housing crisis

The discovery of drug labs in Gold Coast and Toowoomba rental housing as well as the need to teach housekeeping skills to the homeless are among challenges faced by the St Vincent de Paul Society as it seeks to deal with Queensland's accommodation crisis. The Catholic Leader, 16 October.

 

State housing gets a boost

Bundaberg families struggling to find housing have been given a boost with the announcement of 54 new affordable housing allocations for the region. News Mail, 10 October.

 

SA

New housing for disabled opens

New supported-housing for six people with disabilities opened yesterday in Blackwood Park.

The Kardinya facility is made up of two homes, one for four people with high-support needs and one for two needing lower levels of support. Adelaide Now, 11 October.

 

Legislation stops Aborigines buying homes

Aboriginies cannot get loans to buy their own homes on the Anangu Pitjantjatjara Yankunytjatjara Lands because of Rann government legislation over tenure and a prohibition on mortgages. The Australian, 10 October.

 

Tas

Housing Tasmania cuts jobs

Housing Tasmania will shed 38 jobs as it tries to save money and restructure in line with a proposed handover of a third of its housing stock in 2014. The Mercury, 13 October.

 

Aboriginal tenants left in the cold

The Tasmanian Aboriginal Centre is accusing the State Government of failing to provide basic heating for Aboriginal people in public housing. ABC News, 12 October.

 

Tassie children put at risk

Children as young as 13 are being dumped by child-protection services in Tasmania's homeless shelters alongside criminals and drug addicts. The Mercury, 12 October.

 

Vic
House values mostly flat or falling

More than two-thirds of Melbourne's homes have either lost value or stayed flat in price over the past three months, new figures show. The Age, 15 October.

 

Legal brothels' sex slavery links

Legal brothels in Victoria and New South Wales are operating unchecked despite police investigations implicating them in human trafficking, sex slavery and organised crime. The Age, 10 October.

 

WA
Cold Comfort for Broome's homeless as hostel plans crack

The money is there, 12 million of it. The will is there, everyone wants it. The need is there, dozens and dozens of people need help. So what's the hold up in the hostel for Broome's homeless? Finding a block to build it on. ABC Kimberley, 13 October.

 

Long awaited Boulder Indigenous short-stay hostel one step closer

The State Government has announced that the tender has been awarded for the long-promised, Kalgoorlie-Boulder Indigenous visitors centre. ABC Goldfields, 12 October.

 

INTERNATIONAL

UK

'House swap' plan to help the unemployed uproot in search of work

The government is to launch a "house swap" programme, reminiscent of Norman Tebbit's call for the jobless to "get on your bike", in an attempt to encourage people to move around the country to find work. The Guardian, 15 October.

 

Disabled child poverty 'staggering'

The Government is facing increased pressure to "rethink" planned welfare reforms after a leading children's charity published new figures claiming four in 10 disabled children are living in poverty. London Evening Standard, 7 October.

 

USA

"Not All Roads Lead to Home" documentary shows homelessness in new light

"We used to say he was like Don Quixote ... he was fighting the unbeatable foe," said Sister Patricia Taube of the Roanoke Rescue Mission in reference to Ted Lane. The Guilfordian, 6 October.

 

Homelessness in The Huffington Post

 

 

PUBLICATIONS & RESEARCH

24 dash

Past issues of 24 dash magazine

 

ABS

Household Wealth and Wealth Distribution, Australia, 2009-10  

 

Housing Finance, Australia, Aug 2011

 

AHRC

Over 50? Send us your stories.

Latest news.

 

AHURI

How does living in public housing affect women’s employment?

 

ANGLICARE AUSTRALIA

State of the Family report

 

ANTI-POVERTY WEEK

Resources: in this section you can find a number of resources about poverty and related issues in Australia and globally. They include a selection of:

    * recent fact sheets

   * recent reports and papers

    * helpful websites

 

AIHW

Disability support services 2009-10: report on services provided under the National Disability Agreement

 

Australian Drug Foundation

Older People, alcohol and other drugs.

 

Auditor-General Tasmania

Children in out of home care.

 

Calgary Homeless Foundation

Plan to End Youth Homelessness.

 

FaHCSIA

National Social Housing Survey with Community Housing Report

 

Government of SA

Housing Strategy for South Australia Green Paper.

 

Housing Stressed

How is housing affordability affecting your state?

 

Informa Healthcare

Australia: Becoming Empowered: A Grounded Theory Study Of Aboriginal Women's Agency

 

Kids Helpline

Newsletter, Edition 2, 2001

 

National Alliance to End Homelessness (USA)

The Heterogeneity of Homeless Youth in America: Examining Typologies

 

Parity Magazine

Call for contributions: Responding to

Homelessness in Tasmania.

 

Plos One (Aus)

A Prospective Study of Diet Quality and Mental Health in Adolescents

 

Urban Institute

Vulnerability, Risk, and the Transition to Adulthood.

 

UTS

Jumbunna

'Rebuilding from the Ground Up' Endorsed Statement on Alternatives to the Intervention

 

A place to call home

New research by Dr Catherine Robinson into the causes and long-term effects of homelessness show understanding personal trauma could be the key to redefining social perceptions and assisting with government and community responses.

 

Vic Health

Precarious housing and health in three parts

 

Victoria Online

Victorian Homelessness Action Plan 2011-2015

 

BOOKS

Tribal Leadership: Leveraging Natural Groups to Build a Thriving Organization

 

SUBMISSION

WIPAN

No exit into homelessness Still a Dream? The Housing Needs of women leaving prison. Discussion Paper. How to make your voice heard?

The questions at the front of this paper are a guide only. You can answer the questions that interest you. We are also interested in your personal stories about how you found housing or stayed homeless. Deadline for submissions or comments: 25 November 2011. Email: info@wipan.net.au Website: http://www.wipan.net.au

Postal Address: PO Box 345 Broadway, NSW, 2007

 

GRANTS

Supported Accommodation Innovation Fund (SAIF)

Supported accommodation for people with disability

How much?

-$60 million has been committed over three years to build up to 150 new supported accommodation places for people with disability. 

Apply when?

-from 5/09/2011  to 20/01/2012

Who to contact?

- Email saif@fahcsia.gov.au or visit the SAIF website - http://www.saif.govspace.gov.au 

 

LISTEN

Healthshare website

Life Matters, 17 October.

 

Selling the family home

Life Matters, 11 October.

 

Indigenous recognition in the constitution

An expert panel will soon report to the federal government on constitutional change. Life Matters, 10 October.

 

VIDEO/FILM

Darryl (Canada)

 

Jason van Genderen, Pearls (AUS)

 

55 year old Homeless Man carries 2 Masters Degrees (USA)

 

'Street Doctor' Gives Homeless Free Checkups (USA)

 

SCHOLARSHIPS

2nd World Conference of Women’s Shelters

Scholarship applications are now open.

 

SOCIAL MEDIA

How to Activate Volunteers Using Social Media

 

How social media empowers the homeless.

 

BLOGS

Women speak out on income management (AUS)

 

That Poverty Project (Canada)

 

How to Make TANF Work Better for Homeless Families (USA)

 

It’s madness: the incarceration of disabled homeless people in the US

 

Met a Homeless Man As I Came Out Of The Station (USA)

 

VCOSS Voice

How to solve a housing crisis (or at least where to start)

 

The Blackfullas Daily

 

The Non-for profit Daily

 

YFoundations (Youth homelessness AUS)

 

The homelessness-advocate Daily (INT)

 

The Indigenous and Remote Daily (AUS)

 

The #ausyouth Daily (AUS)

 

An International Effort to End Homelessness

National Alliance to End Homelessness

 

EMAIL

5 Email Invitation Tips that Get Attendees to Your Events

 

FACEBOOK

Home For Good (USA)

 

LINKED IN
Making LinkedIn Work for You

 

TWITTER

Twitter in Plain English

From  http://commoncraft.com  a quick and plain English intro the micro-blogging service Twitter on You Tube.

 

WEBSITES

Australian Indigenous Leadership Centre

 

Social and Emotional Wellbeing and Mental Health Services in Aboriginal Australia

 

What works for U
About mental health and young people.

 

TRAINING, SEMINARS, FORUMS, WORKSHOPS

AIATSIS Seminar Series

Series 2, 2011: Housing and homelessness

This series will look at the broad scope of issues surrounding housing and homelessness for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples. Overcrowding, poor quality housing, low levels of home ownership, discrimination in the public housing system, homelessness, relationships to health, employment and education, are some of the issues facing Indigenous people in remote, regional and urban areas. Seminars.

 

Australasian Housing Institute

Events and seminars.

 

PIAC: Protecting Human Rights

This one-day workshop provides an overview of human rights, and will equip you with knowledge and skills necessary to recognise and respond when rights are being violated. Sydney, 24 October, event website.

 

Commonwealth Youth Forum

The Australian Government is proud to be hosting the Commonwealth Youth Forum in Fremantle, Western Australia from Sunday 23 October to Thursday 27 October 2011. Forum website.

 

4th Annual Gerald Ward Lecture on Social Justice

The St Vincent de Paul Society National Council of Australia, Canberra, 18 November, lecture web page.

 

Volunteering Victoria

Presents a series of workshops covering key aspects of managing successful volunteer programs. Training workshops.

 

THANKS to...

The journalists and media who write and report on the homelessness, housing and support sector.

 

The National Tenant Support Network (National TSN) is an independent, unincorporated not-for-profit initiative delivering a range of services to social and affordable rental housing stakeholders throughout Australia and New Zealand. Email to subscribe: TSN@thenexus.org.au

 

-Australian Domestic and Family Violence Clearinghouse

-Australian Institute of Family Studies

-Australian Policy Online

-Breakfast Politics

-Twitter and facebook just for existing!

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

This subscription ebulletin is emailed by Homelessness Australia.

To UNSUBSCRIBE or SUBSCRIBE please email media@homelessnessaustralia.org.au

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Homelessness Australia (HA) includes material in INFORM as we find it. If you have been misrepresented we are happy to include the correct report in the next issue of INFORM.

HA doesn’t necessarily agree with or endorse material and views represented in INFORM.
media@homelessnessaustralia.org.au or ph 02 6247 7744