May 2015
Welcome to the May edition of the NT Shelter Homelessness E-letter.
Stay informed on relevant events and news. A PDF version of this e-letter can be downloaded
from NT Shelter’s website. For more info and to submit news items to NT Shelter’s
Homelessness or Housing E-letters please contact NT Shelter on:
Homelessness E-letter – Homelessness Policy Officer, Alex Richmond
[email protected]
Housing E-letter – Executive Officer, Toni Vine Bromley [email protected]
Our next Quarterly Newsletter E-mag is due out during first week of June 2015. Please
contact Toni at [email protected] to submit an article - deadline is Friday 29 May 2015.
NT SHELTER NEWS AND EVENTS
ACCOMMODATION ACTION GROUP (AAG) MEETINGS
Katherine AAG Next meeting: 10am - 1pm, Tuesday 26 May, at DCF Training Room, 2/3
First Street, Katherine. For more information contact Alex at [email protected]
Darwin Region AAG Planning Session Next meeting: 1pm – 3pm, Wednesday 10 June, at
The Salvation Army Meeting Room, Darwin Corps & Community Centre, Cnr Lee Point Road
& Yanyula Drive, Anula. For more information contact Alex at [email protected]
Alice Springs AAG Next meeting: 12:30 - 2:30pm, Wednesday 10th June, at Andy McNeill
Room, Alice Springs Town Council. For more information contact David at
[email protected]
Barkly Region Accommodation Group Next regular meeting: date & venue to be
confirmed. For more information contact David at [email protected]
NT SOCIAL HOUSING AND SUPPORTED ACCOMMODATION STOCK MAPPING
PROJECT
NT Shelter is mapping social housing stock in the NT to build a housing and homelessness
evidence base and increase our shared understanding of stock throughout the NT. The project
will develop a database of NT social housing stock information and we’ll be able to produce
various maps to highlight stock use as well as service gaps. NT Shelter has completed an
initial map for the Greater Darwin Region and is currently surveying agencies in Katherine,
Tennant Creek and Alice Springs. For more information on the Tennant Creek and Alice
Springs database and maps contact David [email protected] or for the Greater Darwin and
Katherine areas contact Alex [email protected].
NT Shelter manages the online services directory ShelterMe, which provides information to
those seeking accommodation and support services. Please ensure that your homelessness
relevant services are listed within the directory and that they are up-to-date. For more
information visit the website at www.shelterme.org.au
UPDATE FROM HOMELESSNESS AUSTRALIA ON FUNDING
The news that the National Partnership Agreement on Homelessness (NPAH) will continue for
another 2 years is good news. Minister Morrison’s announcement did carry some conditions.
One being that a ‘focus’ or ‘priority’ be given to women and children escaping domestic
violence situations and young people under 18 who are experiencing homelessness. The
dollar amount of the NPAH did not increase, nor allow for CPI, nor was an implementation
mechanism provided for the Minister’s priorities. HA has ascertained from States and
Territories that there is sector nervousness about how the Minister’s articulated priorities will
be achieved, and its effect on all the client groups. HA has spoken to the Minister’s office but is
still none the wiser. The next step is state/federal discussions on the details of the
implementation plan.
AHI WORKSHOPS IN DARWIN
These workshops are aimed at professionals whose work involves direct contact with clients.
Traditionally AHI workshops are designed for people working in housing related areas, but
professionals from other sectors such as homelessness, social workers and client service staff
of other organisations will benefit from attending their trainings. Click the links below to
register.
•
Working with Complex and Demanding Clients, 20 May 2015
•
Working with clients who have drug and/or alcohol dependency, 21 May 2015
EVENTS
WORKING WITH INDIVIDUALS WHO HAVE SELF-DESTRUCTIVE BEHAVIOUR DARWIN
WORKSHOP
SAFE in Oz are presenting ‘An Introduction To Working With Individuals Who Have SelfDestructive Behaviour’ a 2 day workshop in partnership with Carers NT in Darwin – 20th & 21st
July 2015.
SAFE in Oz aim to give workshop participants an insight into the headspace of a person who
participates in self-destructive behaviour/s in order to better understand their ‘real’ world and
life experiences.
Day 1 – What is it all about? What is self-destructive behaviour? How do we know it is a selfdestructive behaviour? Why do individuals do it? How does it start? What are the triggers for
self-destructive behaviour and why does it continue to happen?
Day 2 – Our response to Self-Destructive behaviour/s Meeting the needs of someone who with
self-destructive behaviour/s. Hospitalisation and associated problems. Treatment
environments and points of intervention. Boundaries, support plans and essentials for
behavioural change. Meeting the needs and supporting the worker. There are limited places
for the workshops. For more information follow this Link to Darwin Training Workshop Flyer ...
NATIONAL HOUSING CONFERENCE 2015 in Perth on 28 – 30 October 2015
The 2015 National Housing Conference is convened by the Australian Housing and Urban
Research Institute (AHURI) in partnership with the WA Department of Housing. The Biennial
National Housing Conference is convened by AHURI and is the single largest cross-sectorial
event in Australasia for the social and affordable housing sectors. It aims to provide a platform
for sharing, debating, celebrating and promoting ideas in affordable housing research, policy
and practice and is a must attend event for anyone interested in innovative solutions and
partnerships to guide Australia's future approach to affordable housing delivery.
For more info visit: http://www.nhc.edu.au
COMMUNITY SECTOR WORKFORCE TRAINING AND DEVELOPMENT CALENDAR
Don’t miss training opportunities - go to the Community Sector Workforce Training and
Development Calendar On-line Community Sector Training and Professional Development
Calendar. Find training delivered in the NT/Post your own training/professional development
events on the website. http://www.ntcoss.org.au/workforce-training-and-development-calendar
LAW WEEK FREE WORKSHOP: IDENTIFYING LEGAL ISSUES FOR YOUR CLIENTS
Ever wondered if there is more you could or should do about your clients’ issues like welfare
worries, credit crunch, housing horrors, workplace woes…Did you know there is a time
limitation period for many courses of action in legal matters? Learn how we can work together
for the best outcome for the client, before matters escalate. An informative, interactive
workshop will be held on Monday 11 May 9.00 -1.30 (including a free luncheon) and should
not be missed by anyone who works directly with clients. Service providers who wish to attend
must register their booking with DCLS - phone 8982 1111 or www.dcls.org.au for more
information.
CEO SLEEPOUT: Tonight 15,000 Territorians are homeless. You can make a
contribution to the challenge of homelessness in Darwin. Vinnies are looking for
proactive corporate leaders to take part in this year’s CEO Sleepout. For more information
email [email protected] or to register go to www.ceosleepout.org.au
NEWS & RESEARCH
LATEST RESEARCH
Anglicare Rental Affordability Snapshot Report 2015- NT
Anglicare released its annual rent affordability snapshot on 30th April. The NT report shows
that over the weekend of 11 April, 1367 rental properties were identified but none (0) were
found to be both affordable and appropriate for people who receive Newstart Allowance,
Single Parenting Payment, Disability Support Pension or Youth Allowance. Click here to
access the NT report. Or download the full national 2015 Anglicare Australia Rental
Affordability Snapshot.
Research and Policy Bulletin: Issue 191
Preventing first time homelessness amongst older Australians
This Research and Policy Bulletin provides details of the key findings and policy implications
from the completed AHURI research project Preventing first time homelessness amongst older
Australians.
Final Report: No. 238
The structural drivers of homelessness in Australia 2001–11
Homelessness is highly concentrated in particular regions, especially those with high
proportions of men, sole parents and Indigenous persons—suggesting policy-makers need to
target these groups and locations. Contrary to expectations, rates of homelessness were lower
in areas with weak labour markets and higher where there was affordable housing. Even so,
longer term solutions for homelessness should consider ways formerly homeless people might
access affordable housing in stronger labour markets.
RMIT report: 7-out-of-10 rough sleepers supported to maintain housing via Melbourne
Street-to-Home program
RMIT academics launched the final evaluation of the Melbourne Street to Home program,
which is delivered by Homeground, the Salvation Army and RDNS and works with people
who’ve been sleeping rough long-term. The report found that 70% of all participants were still
in secure housing two years into the program, lending further support to Permanent Supportive
Housing models of support. The PSH approach of ‘giving homes to the homeless’ has been
responsible for the near elimination of rough sleeping in Utah.
Alarmingly, the RMIT report reveals that MS2H participants who became homeless before the
age of 18 have less chance of maintaining their housing (62% still housed after two
years) than those who became homeless as adults (79% still housed after two years). This
sends clear policy signals that more early intervention programs are needed to prevent the
long-term effects of homelessness taking hold.
The full report can be downloaded here.
IN THE NEWS
The Age The surprisingly simple way Utah solved chronic homelessness and saved millions
Saturday 18 April
3RRR Spoke: Justice Connect interview re. breaking the cycle between prison and
homelessness Tuesday 22 April
Sydney Morning Herald The young and the homeless: Going home, Staying home evaluation
Tuesday 14 April
Project targets CALD seniors at risk of homelessness, Australian Ageing Agenda. 24 April
Homeless Diggers reveal Australia's double standards, SMH. 25 April
Why we are ‘wasting’ money on youth homelessness, The New Daily. 26 April
Seven per cent of the Kimberley homeless – but hey, who cares? The Stringer. 26 April
A nation’s shame of homeless heroes: Modern-day Anzacs left destitute after suffering PTSD,
Daily Telegraph. 27 April
Housing affordability crisis, Lateline. 23 April
We care about housing - we just don't care to act, ABC The Drum. 30 April
Housing crisis hits nation's poorest, The Australian. 30 April
Report shows private rental market out of reach for welfare recipients and low income earners,
ABC AM. 30 April
Affordable housing system 'broken' as more Australians struggle to pay rent than ever before,
Anglicare says, ABC News. 30 April
Northern Territory cost of living: Low income households hit hardest by rising food bills, ABC
News. 28 April
The stigma of poverty, ABC Radio National. 28 April
Grassroots scheme to bring cheaper groceries to remote APY Lands should be adopted
nationally, advocates say, ABC News. 29 April
Dismissing the Un-dismissible, ProBono News. 23 April
ON THE NT SHELTER WEBSITE www.ntshelter.org.au
Control/Click on these icons: - to take you there:
What's new on the website?
Go to housing news, new posts and articles, as well as events and
dates for regional housing meetings.
If you are looking for housing or other support services? Go to
a directory of services for homeless Territorians.
Want housing and homelessness data?
Go to our updated NT Housing Fact Sheets
NT Shelter is a member of National Shelter – Australia’s
peak housing advocacy organisation dedicated to advocating
for a fairer, more just housing system, particularly for lowincome Australian households. Go directly to the National
Shelter website http://www.shelter.org.au/index.htm
NT Shelter is supported by the NT Government through the Department of Housing