2016 Annual Report
GPO Box 848 Hobart Tasmania 7001 I P: 03 6224 5488 I M: 0419 536 100 I E: [email protected] I W: www.sheltertas.org.au Supported by the Crown through the Department of Health and Human Services. CONTENTS
Our Team 2 About Shelter Tas 3 Management Committee and Staff 4 Representations 2015-16 5 Chairperson’s Report 6 North-West Committee Members’ Report 7 Northern Committee Members’ Report 9 Southern Committee Members’ Report 12 Council for Homeless Persons Australia and Homelessness Australia Reports 15 Community Housing Industry Association Report 16 National Shelter Report 18 Shelter Tas Report on Activities 20 Executive Officer’s Report 25 Treasurer’s Report 27 Financial Statement 28
1 Shelter Tasmania Annual Report 2016 OUR TEAM
Pattie Chugg Belinda Jones John Stubley Andrea Witt Jed Donoghue Executive Officer Chairperson Treasurer Vice Chair Secretary
Andrea Young Meg Smith Sue Lush-Saunders Jenny Bertram Paul Duncombe Policy Officer Publication & Information Admin and Finance Officer Public Officer Finance Manager Officer
Amanda Murphy Sally Pugsley Didi Okwechime Mark Sytsma Meredith Barton Proxy Committee Member Committee Member Committee Member Proxy Committee Member Committee Member
Melissa Palframan Stephen Hill Louise Beiser Ria Brink Tash Blyth Committee Member Committee Member Proxy Committee Member Committee Member Committee Member
Deb Pursell Jacinta Atkins Leonnie Hyde Annette Clark Shane Leonard Proxy Committee Member Proxy Committee Member Proxy Committee Member Proxy Committee Member Committee Member
David Priddle Rana Havard Ros Atkinson Proxy Committee Member Proxy Committee Member Proxy Committee Member
2 Shelter Tasmania Annual Report 2016 ABOUT SHELTER TAS
Shelter Tasmania is an independent not-for-profit housing and homelessness peak organisation funded by the Department of Health and Human Services. Shelter Tas represents the interest of housing consumers on low incomes and housing providers across Tasmania. Shelter Tas’ membership consists of a wide range of housing and supported accommodation services, tenant groups, local government, community organisations and individuals interested in housing. The Council of Homeless Persons Tasmania is a subcommittee of Shelter Tas. Shelter Tas aims to provide an effective Tasmanian voice on housing and related issues by fulfilling the following objectives: • To promote and maintain the right of every person to access affordable, safe and secure long term housing that they identify as appropriate to their needs. • To promote and maintain the right of every person to housing of a quality which enhances people’s health, well-being, dignity and life opportunities. • To promote the benefits of public and community housing in the community and across all levels of government. • To publish, research, collect and disseminate information on matters relating to the provision of housing, particularly for people on low to moderate incomes. Shelter Tas was established in 1975. For over 40 years we have worked to ensure that low-income and disadvantaged people in Tasmania have access to housing that is affordable, safe, secure and appropriate to their needs. In the 90s we changed our Constitution to extend our focus to homelessness issues. We are proud to continue our role as the peak body for housing and homelessness across the State. VISION Affordable, appropriate, safe and secure housing for all and an end to homelessness. MISSION To provide a united voice for services and service users that creates a framework to effect positive change in the housing and homelessness sector.
3 Shelter Tasmania Annual Report 2016 MANAGEMENT COMMITTEE AND STAFF 2015-2016
EXECUTIVE MEMBERS COMMITTEE MEMBERS STAFF CHAIR Andrea Witt Executive Officer Belinda Jones CatholicCare Pattie Chugg Anglicare Accommodation Proxy - Jacinta Atkins (1 FTE) Services Meredith Barton Policy Officer VICE CHAIR Tenants’ Union Tasmania Cynthia Townley to May 2016 Andrea Witt Andrea Young from May 2016 CatholicCare Sally Pugsley (.8 FTE) Housing Choices Tasmania SECRETARY Proxy - Rana Havard Publication & Information Officer Jed Donoghue Meg Smith Salvation Army Housing and Stephen Hill (.75 FTE) Homelessness Services Launceston City Mission Proxy - Mark Sytsma Admin and Finance Officer TREASURER Sue Lush-Saunders John Stubley Jed Donoghue (.3 FTE) Hobart City Mission Salvation Army Housing & Homelessness Services Finance Manager PUBLIC OFFICER Proxy - David Priddle & Paul Duncombe Jenny Bertram Don McCrae (Casual) Magnolia Place - Launceston Women’s Shelter Shane Leonard Administration Support Youth, Family & Louise Foster QUALITY IMPROVEMENT OFFICER Community Connections (Relief) Belinda Jones Proxy - Ros Atkinson Anglicare Accommodation Services John Stubley Hobart City Mission AUDITOR Proxy - Annette Clark Michael Muller MANAGEMENT Chartered Accountant COMMITTEE MEETINGS Belinda Jones HELD 2015-2016 Anglicare Accommodation Services CONSULTANTS July 2015 - Wednesday 29 Proxy - Louise Bieser Cynthia Townley September 2015 - Wednesday 9 Jenny Bertram Projects October 2015 - Wednesday 14 Magnolia Place - Launceston Women’s Shelter Michelle Swallow November 2015 - Friday 20 (AGM) Proxy - Amanda Murphy Strategic February 2016 - Wednesday 3 Ria Brink/Tash Blyth Chris Watt March 2016 - Wednesday 16 Karinya Young Women’s Service IT
April 2016 - Wednesday 27 Michael Douglas & Didi Okwechime Stephen Hill Photographer June 2016 - Wednesday 8 Colony 47 Proxy - Deb Pursell Therese Bromfield Melissa Palframan Design and Desktop Community Housing Ltd Proxy - Leonnie Hyde Phil Hoffen Policy and Procedures
4 Shelter Tasmania Annual Report 2016 REPRESENTATIONS FOR 2015-2016
Shelter Tasmania represents the housing and homelessness • Chair and convene WDS Resources Advisory Sub-Group sector on a number of committees and working groups and • Mental Health and Housing group provides State and National delegates to the following: • Partners in Recovery Reference Group • Ageing and Housing Working Group • Policy Officer Network Meetings NATIONAL FOCUS • Community Sector Workforce Development Round Table National Shelter • National Council Meetings – State delegate Consumer Engagement • National Policy Officers’ Network • Chair Consumer Engagement Strategy Reference Group • Vote Home campaign Working Group Housing Tasmania Council of Homeless Persons Australia • Affordable Housing Strategy Working Groups • Board Member and State delegate • Shelter Executive/Housing Tasmania quarterly meetings
Homelessness Australia Specialist Homelessness Services (SHS) • Board Member • Chair and convene SHS North/Northwest • National Peak teleconferences and Southern service forums • Chair and convene Statewide SHS Forum Community Housing Industry Asscn. (CHIA) • State Peak contact Consumer Affairs and Fair Trading • National Board member • Member of the Residential Tenancy Act Review Committee • National Policy Network and Implementation Working Group Other • Member, Hobart City Council Social Inclusion Advisory Group TASMANIAN FOCUS • Member, Women’s Emergency Service Providers (WESP) Advice to Government • Meetings with the Minister for Human Services Public Comment and Conference Presentations • Meetings with Shadow Ministers for Housing • Range of media interviews, Talking Point articles, media and Homelessness releases and social media communications • Meetings with the Minister’s advisors Research • Meetings with Tasmanian Senators and House • Independent and collaborative research and of Representatives participation with other organisations • Planning Taskforce - Community Consultation Group • Contributed to a range of research topics, National and State-based consultations and assisted students Tasmanian Audit Office • Shelter has undertaken a range of research and • Performace Audit - Advisory Body member consultations on a number of key topics, including aged Housing and Homelessness Reform housing, Tasmanian planning system, the Homes Act, • Chair of Tasmanian Youth Housing and Homelessness family violence, housing for young adults etc. Working Group • Member AHS Consultative Group For submissions completed this year, please see the • Member of Joined Up Service System Tasmania project Shelter Tas Report on Activities (pg 20). • Member Housing Connect Southern Working Group • Member Regulation of Not-for-Profit Housing Advisory Committee • Member of a range of Affordable Housing Strategy working groups
Capacity Building, Leadership and Partnerships • Community Sector Peaks and Government Strategic Forum • Community Sector Peaks Network • Chair Community Housing Capacity Building Reference Group • Shelter Tas partnership with Housing Tas and Centre for Training in Social Housing (NSW) and Skills Tasmania to deliver accredited social housing training • Chair and convene Workforce Development Strategy (WDS) Reference Group for Tasmanian homelessness sector Vote Home Campaign, Parliament House.
5 Shelter Tasmania Annual Report 2016 CHAIRPERSON’S REPORT
It’s been another great year for Shelter Tas, in no small of our Tasmanian homelessness services, including part due to our dynamic staff and dedicated Shelter the supported accommodation facilities and Housing Management Committee. We welcomed Andrea Young Connect. We are working with both Homelessness to the team as our new Policy Officer, but other than that Australia and National Shelter on these issues and are both staff and SMC membership have been very stable. also calling for a National Plan to End Homelessness.
Over the past twelve months we have been reviewing our We enjoy a great working relationship with our Minister governance model. This has led us to make some changes for Human Services and Minister for Women, the Hon to our Constitution to ensure the roles of the SMC and Jacquie Petrusma, and thank her and the Government Executive are clearly defined. Whilst these changes won’t for their ongoing support of the AHS. We also value our make a noticeable difference to the day-to-day operations relationship with those at Housing Tasmania and would of Shelter Tas, they will more accurately reflect and define again like to thank Peter White and his staff for their hard the roles of the Executive and Policy Committee. work and willingness to collaborate with the sector.
A continued focus for us this year has been on workforce As we look towards 2017 we’ll continue to work with the development, with the Strategy and associated funding State Government on achieving the goals outlined in the being extended to mid 2017. As part of this Strategy, Affordable Housing Action Plan 2015-2019. We will also Shelter Tas held a Workforce Symposium in June. be working with our State and Territory colleagues to Symposium attendees heard from a range of people develop a national housing and homelessness peak body who have lived experience of homelessness, including and secure funding for its operation. the Peer Education & Support Program (PESP) from Victoria. The Symposium feedback surveys were We would like to thank our members for their unwavering overwhelmingly positive. support of Shelter Tas. Thank you also to the SMC for all your hard work - particularly John, Jed, Andy and Jen. I’d Shelter Tasmania welcomed the announcement in this also like to thank our great team of Pattie, Meg, Andrea year’s State Budget of an additional $60M over the next and Sue, whose exceptional knowledge and skills make three years for initiatives outlined in the Affordable Shelter Tas such a unique and valuable Peak Body. Housing Strategy (AHS). The AHS encompasses projects such as the youth accommodation facility in Devonport and residential care facility for older people experiencing homelessness; both much needed housing options for some of our most disadvantaged Tasmanians.
The current battle ahead of us is to get the National Belinda Jones Partnership Agreement on Homelessness (NPAH) Chairperson refunded and indexed. This funding is crucial to many Shelter Tas.
6 Shelter Tasmania Annual Report 2016 NORTH-WEST COMMITTEE MEMBERS’ REPORT
This year has been another challenging yet productive to access exit points for the 15–17 year cohort, which year for the housing and homelessness sector, with the leads to extended timeframes in the transitional housing commencement of significant changes to the way our properties. TASS has developed closer connections with sector delivers its services. Tasmania’s Affordable Housing local real estate agents, allowing eligible young people Strategy is now being implemented, covering a number increased access to the private rental market with of key areas from the development of new affordable TASS support. housing stock, targeted early intervention, rapid assistance TASS had an increase (approximately 10%) in clients and measurements of success. It is envisaged that the accessing the service who disclose domestic violence. Strategy will frame the way the State Government, through This has led to the development of information based Housing Tasmania, will improve affordable housing over resources in an attempt to educate both victims and the next decade and ease housing stress for the State’s perpetrators around domestic violence issues most vulnerable. One of the initial announcements made and supports. in regards to the Strategy was the development of a youth accommodation facility in Devonport. This facility Finally, as part of its case management process, YFCC has will provide accommodation for up to 25 young people now embedded the Outcomes Star across all of its services, between the ages of 16 and 25. The facility will also provide with significant improvements being measured across all young people with connections to education, employment, domains. The improvements across both CASS and TASS vocational training and on site consulting rooms to engage have been measured at 82% and 75% respectively. with other services. It is also envisaged that the facility will include a social enterprise framework for its residents. This development will also alleviate some of the pressure on WARRAWEE WOMEN’S SHELTER other local services by providing an exit point for this cohort. The last financial year has again been very busy, with Warrawee’s communal living Shelter experiencing a 24% Housing Tasmania has made further inroads into the increase in resident numbers due to domestic violence development of an Outcomes Purchasing Framework, while overall numbers have remained comparable with the which is now finalised and will be transitioned into current previous year. Referrals have predominantly been made funding agreements early in the 2016–2017 financial year. by other community agencies and government services This framework will have a deeper focus on consumer (including Housing Connect and police), with self-referrals outcomes, giving services the opportunity to fine-tune continuing to be common. their service delivery to ensure they are meeting consumer needs. It will also give a framework to measure ‘whether This year there has been a steady increase, in both consumers are better off’ because of their engagement with the Shelter and off-site properties, in the number of our sector. clients who are struggling with serious drug addictions. Methamphetamines pose a particularly significant problem. Obtaining immediate help for women suffering with YOUTH, FAMILY AND drug and alcohol addiction is problematic and at times COMMUNITY CONNECTIONS we have not been able to access necessary help when Youth, Family and Community Connections (YFCC) needed. Gaining counselling for our traumatised children Crisis Accommodation Support Services (CASS) reported a has also continued to be difficult, with referral numbers consistent theme of a lack of long-term accommodation/ overwhelming services and long wait times often meaning housing for the 15–17 year age group in the NW. children have left the service and, sometimes, the area Around 20% of clients in this age group, however, were before assistance is available. able to obtain long-term independent sustainable In a major positive this year, as a result of a speaking accommodation. CASS has case managed 120 clients engagement at Wynyard High School the students in during 2015-2016, with the focus on family reunification. attendance decided they wanted to contribute in some way This focus has been successful again this year resulting in a to the plight of children who have experienced violence significant number of young people (55%) re-unifying with in the home. Consequently they engaged in fundraising, their families. Operating from a family-centred approach which resulted in just over $13,000 being raised through a has provided opportunities to repair family relationships, ‘colourathon’. These funds are in the process of being used which is a significant achievement. to engage the Australian Childhood Foundation to provide YFCCs Transitional Accommodation Support Services on-site play therapy for our children and also to deliver (TASS) notes that this year, along with many services in the training in this area for Warrawee staff. community sector, it has faced the challenges of meeting increasing client demand and complexity. TASS has assisted 115 Clients to develop their living ANGLICARE NW skills and 60 Clients have been provided with assistance Housing Connect North West have five full time Front Door to maintain their tenancies or obtain independent staff and three full time support staff covering two office accommodation. TASS notes that the waiting list for locations in Burnie and Devonport. Staff members also transitional accommodation has remained stable this year, provide an outreach option to various locations around the with about 40 young people being contacted regularly. area, the most popular being Shorewell, East Devonport TASS is still finding it as challenging as the rest of the sector and Ulverstone. For our more remote areas we have access to Skype, video conferencing or telephone assessments.
7 Shelter Tasmania Annual Report 2016 Housing Connect continues to fine tune the way we downtime only for repairs and maintenance. We always provide services, adapting to the changing environment have a large amount of people waiting for accommodation of social housing. SHIP has had several upgrades over the to become available. past 12 months, each one making the ‘behind the scenes’ We have seen a steep rise in people presenting with a application process simpler, and we look forward to the mental health issue, and a rise in women with children that next upgrades. Housing Connect is now the entry point for have suffered from family violence and marriage break up. the Government’s Rapid Rehousing program - an innovative Recently we have seen an increase in the number of people approach for very quickly supporting a client experiencing with a large housing debt who have very limited options family violence (either victim or perpetrator) and then and are at high risk of becoming homeless. assisting them into safe, affordable accommodation to get back on their feet. We have thus far housed 6 individuals/ There is still high demand for more accommodation for families into housing under this program. Over the past single men with children. Financial stress seems to be an 12 months Housing Connect has assisted with 1,282 issue that many families with children are facing, especially applications for social housing and 1,326 applications when their partner leaves and they are left to pick up the for private rental assistance, including bonds and arrears pieces. Program funding cuts do have a detrimental effect payments. The team have made 3,590 phone calls, referred on the remaining organisations left to carry the extra load. over 513 people to support services, housed 151 people This can have unintentional consequences for those who within our community tenancies and brokered 573 nights are seeking help. emergency accommodation. At Oakleigh House there has been an upgrade of BURNIE LODGE security, new fencing and a large amount of maintenance undertaken over the past few months and with more There have been ongoing improvements to the structure of planned for the future, including an upgrade of ‘The Hut’. Burnie Lodge. Housing Tasmania has invested a substantial amount of money to ensure the building is upgraded and The importance of sharing a cuppa with clients in ‘The Hut’ maintained well. is proving to be a positive morning activity. During the past month several client issues were explored, such as the cycle In the last 12 months there have been 73 residents staying of domestic violence, budgeting, low budget recipes and at the lodge; currently there are 25 tenants whose age tips for saving on power consumption. Those who wish to, range is 22-66 years old. There are 16 residents who have share their personal stories with the group and staff. People lived at the lodge for over 2 years. The average length of who attend are displaying good listening skills, and this stay is 2.9 years, with 14 residents staying longer. assists the clients to feel safe and supported in sharing their There continue to be activities provided by the Support personal struggle. It also allows staff to recommend the & Recreational Worker and more assistance provided correct referral to services which can offer support. to residents for medical/ACMH appointments. We have received referrals from new sources (Wilfred Lopes Centre Our team is well qualified, with many years of long service and Risdon Prison). In our partnership with Risdon Prison dedicated to continuing the fight for those who have need we are able to conduct Skype interviews with participants of our service. and their Support Officer. This has been done on a couple Looking forward, services from the North West are already of occasions and we have received direct transfers from embedding the positive changes developed in consultation Risdon (all residents having been first assessed through with Housing Tasmania into our service delivery, which will Front Door services). allow us to continue to ensure our services meet the ever- changing needs of the clients we all strive to support. GROVE HOUSE I would like to thank the following for their input into this Grove House continues to champion a ‘sense of community’, year’s report: with many services accessing the Grove House facility for • The Team at Warrawee various reasons, such as cooking programs and a Ukulele • Liz Leslie, Anglicare Group (who, as well as using the facility have recruited new • Wendy Smith, YFCC members from Grove House). There are 20 tenants, ranging • Edward Winter, Salvation Army. from 20-76 years old. The tenants assist in fundraising for Finally, I would like to thank the staff and Management various community groups, and there is one tenant in Committee members of Shelter Tas. The multi-regional particular who donates his time to provide music and songs membership of our Peak Body is an invaluable asset, which to the local nursing homes and senior citizen groups and continues to provide ongoing support to all of its members. will play to raise funds with the support of other tenants from Grove House. There are many courses offered for the tenants at LINC or training at Grove House.
OAKLEIGH ACCOMMODATION SERVICE We continue to house and support homeless women, Shane Leonard children and men; and work closely with Housing Connect, Youth, Family and Community Connections. Housing Tasmania and Housing Choices. Over the past year our properties have averaged 95% occupancy, with
8 Shelter Tasmania Annual Report 2016 NORTHERN COMMITTEE MEMBERS’ REPORT
HOUSING CONNECT Residents have attained significant personal milestones. It’s been another busy year in Housing Connect. Some have started studying and/or training, including To meet demand, the Front Door has refined its service one resident with significant anxiety who is completing a delivery model, while increasing outreach to rural areas. music course and is now performing in public. Previously, outreach was limited to George Town, but has Another is addressing her health issues, is now in control now been expanded to Scottsdale, Deloraine, St Helens of her diabetes, exercising more and has made significant and Missiondale (and, if requested, to the Launceston changes to her diet. Another is a gifted sculptor and General Hospital, Ashley Youth Detention Centre is producing work to sell at local markets. These are and shelters). significant achievements when: • 89% have a diagnosed mental illness The Front Door has worked closely with Housing • 22% an intellectual disability Tasmania to address issues impacting on people requesting services. SHIP refinements will allow greater • 56% chronic physical health issues ability for discretion around safety concerns and assets, • 28% AOD issues particularly for people escaping domestic violence. • 6% anger/behavioural issues They have also had input into the Exiting Prisoners policy, • 56% lack independent living skills which will see it extended to include young people at • 50% experience isolation due to a family and/or Ashley Youth Detention Centre. relationship breakdown The Housing Connect After Hours Service was in • 11% are long term unemployed. high demand, with 777 support periods for 608 people (including 130 children and young people). THISTLE STREET 15.83% of people contacted the service because their accommodation had ended and they had nowhere else For 8 tenants, Thistle Street has been a stepping to go; 14.03% for relationship/family breakups; itinerancy stone to increased independence. Prior to securing (12.61%) and housing crisis (12.36%). The service brokered accommodation there they were long term tenants at 213 nights of accommodation and 132 referrals to Indigo Lodge, a Supported Residential Facility. All were shelters. In most cases the shelter referrals were for an homeless prior to residing at Indigo Lodge. Indigo Lodge overnight bed rather than a 6 week bed. provided for them the opportunity to address their support needs and regain their self-confidence. Thistle Street has given them the ability to learn new living skills, INDIGO LODGE or rediscover past skills such as cooking. Some have also Anglicare has managed Indigo Lodge since October reconnected with family or the broader community. In 2006. The Department of Health and Human Services May the tenants hosted a Big Morning Tea, putting on an completed the first stage of refurbishment in late 2015 amazing assortment of cakes and pastries after spending (8 rooms, with the addition of ensuites). Residents were a week planning and baking. The event was well attended thrilled and are looking forward to seeing the next stage and the tenants enjoyed the opportunity to socialise. of works. All resident rooms and internal communal areas There are many other examples of increased physical and should be completed by March 2017. mental wellbeing of Thistle Street tenants.
9 Shelter Tasmania Annual Report 2016 THYNE HOUSE Over the coming year CHL Tasmania will finalise During the 2015-2016 financial year 45 young people construction and deliver 46 affordable housing dwellings resided at Thyne House, 25 aged under 18 years: under the NRAS round 4 program. • 47% have resided at Thyne House for 12 months or more KARINYA • 24% have been in residence for over 2 years Karinya has had another busy year. Bed nights continue • 4.5 years is the longest tenancy (2 tenants). to increase, with 13, 14 and 17 year olds accessing the service remaining the largest user group. The younger For those at Thyne House the ability to sustain their cohort continues to fall through the cracks because tenancies is a significant achievement, when their appropriate support for this age group is still an issue. background (not just their presenting situation) is These young women have very limited options for explored. The overwhelming theme is family breakdown: support and/or accommodation and place themselves • 63% experienced a relationship/family breakdown in risky situations just to get by, particularly those in the • 16% had their previous accommodation end 13-15 year age bracket (who are not seen as a priority for Child Protection but are also not eligible for support from • 11% experienced family violence other support services). For the medium to longer term, • 6% transitioned from foster care generic youth crisis accommodation is not appropriate • 2% required timeout from family for them. Unfortunately, another year has gone by • 2% experienced accommodation unaffordability. without appropriate accommodation and support service alternatives making it to funding agendas. At the end of June 2016, 13 of the 27 current tenants had part-time or casual employment. Twenty were involved in The very successful Young Mums’n’Bubs program some form of study: continues, with the number of properties in our portfolio growing and referrals increasing. We currently have 15 • 10 attending secondary school properties and support 22 young families. Our targeted • 4 alternative education (Green Army) Health and Wellbeing program has been delivered to • 3 vocational training participants again this year and again was very popular • 3 University. with the young parents involved.
COMMUNITY HOUSING LIMITED ORANA HOUSE (LAUNCESTON CITY MISSION) Under the Better Housing Futures program (BHF), The Launceston City Mission recognises that everybody Community Housing Limited (CHL) Tasmania has now needs some help from time to time and hopes that, with undertaken a second year of managing the large scale support from staff, residents can find a way forward. stock transfer of 1,196 public housing properties in the Orana House provides accommodation for males over Northern Region of Tasmania. There has been a greater the age of 18, linking its residents to services beneficial connection with the northern suburbs of Launceston for those affected by homelessness. Nearly 93% key stakeholders, through the provision of portfolio occupancy was achieved through the last 12 months for management and community development initiatives all accommodation types (crisis support, long term rooms and activities. Three of the CHL tenancy administration and independent living units). There was almost 98% for traineeships commenced in the previous year have been crisis accommodation for single males, whereas family successfully completed and we have been able to offer units were occupied for 84% of available nights. Services them full time permanent employment. continue to evolve, particularly in relation to providing As part of Tasmania’s Affordable Housing Strategy Action opportunities for the residents to assist with vegetable Plan 2015–2019, CHL Tasmania has commenced property and herb gardens (the aim being to provide the kitchen and tenancy management of Trinity Hill Supported with produce while teaching new basic skills). Some new Youth Accommodation Facility in North Hobart paving and outside furniture were installed to encourage (contracted under Anglicare). This is the fourth supported residents to spend time away from their rooms. accommodation facility partnership between CHL and Demographically, the highest number of men supported Anglicare. The partnership continues successfully to grow were between 36 and 45 years of age, while those and strengthen. The ‘state of the art’ facility (which won between 26 and 35 were the next highest. Over half a Tasmanian Architecture award this year) houses 46 reported some degree of mental illness and nearly tenants, including 16 units for young people living with 75% had some physical health issue. Due to cost or the a disability. unavailability of GP appointments, most health issues CHL Tasmania is contracted to participate in the State weren’t receiving treatment. Some of the recent changes domestic violence Rapid Rehousing initiative to support in the health sector, such as after-hours access to bulk the increasing level of demand for safe and secure billing, have helped to reduce these problems. accommodation for people experiencing domestic violence. We currently have three tenancies under this contract and are looking to increase our participation with some head lease stock.
10 Shelter Tasmania Annual Report 2016 MAGNOLIA PLACE suitable exit options. Many of our clients require intensive Events in the past year include: the organisation of the support to teach them basic living skills, in preparation candlelight vigil in May, where we joined with the rest of for independent living. Although independent housing is Australia in remembering the many women who have not a sustainable solution without these skills (or financial lost, and continue to lose, their lives through partner and emotional support), this is often not attainable in violence; a stall during homelessness week in August the short period provided by crisis accommodation, and to provide awareness of homelessness, with giveaways moving them on too soon often sets them up for failure. of information, balloons and other ‘freebies’; and talks This year 30% of our young people have been under at various meetings to explain what homelessness and guardianship; 20% were both under guardianship and family violence is, and what we provide at the Shelter. involved in the Youth Justice System. We have resurfaced the playgrounds for children Education needs to be resourced and staff trained to and purchased new outdoor play equipment. Our support our young people, because school attendance maintenance worker built a puppet theatre for use in the continues to be an issue. Many of our young men have family activity room. Playgroup is held weekly, and there low levels of literacy, therefore assistance is required are holiday activities and art therapy sessions for women for reading and understanding their mail. Sometimes and children. For women experiencing homelessness we important documentation is overlooked. Rather than now receive ‘Share the Dignity’ handbags, full of personal excluding them, there is a need to understand reasons items. When each woman enters the Shelter they are behind bad behaviour. welcomed with a handbag, as well as available donated scarves, knitted blankets and toiletries. Eighteen percent (18%) of our young people are on a Special Benefit, or DSP. Once on a ‘Special Benefit’ there Although our primary role is to offer crisis support and is no obligation or requirement to engage in education, accommodation it is satisfying to have the opportunity to training or seek paid employment, which can severely offer a little ‘extra’, thanks to the support of the wonderful impede a young person’s development. Launceston community. We successfully applied recently for a grant from the Tasmanian Community Fund and This year we have experienced greater levels of Aurora to replace all furniture in our units. We were very unpredictable and aggressive behaviours, paranoia pleased to be offered the opportunity to rent another and depression. The complex needs of our clients have property from Housing Tasmania. We were able to furnish imposed greater burdens on our service, which runs on a the house completely - including garden shed, mower sole worker model. and curtains - compliments of our generous donors. Thanks to staff and clients, the Shelter has been repainted This year we have supported a number of large families inside. This was a good process, giving the young people (with four to seven children) as well as several women skills and pride in their home. and children from culturally and linguistically diverse We have an awesome team who continue to provide (CALD) backgrounds. This can be costly when there are structure and reasonable expectations, and are visa and immigration issues denying them Centrelink supportive of clients and each other. entitlements, as the shelter covers the cost of the majority of their needs. Fortunately there are now supports that Louise Bieser and Belinda Jones, Anglicare weren’t available to us in the past. We have a wonderful Melissa Palframan, Community Housing Limited team who always strive to ‘go the extra mile’ and we Karinya Young Women’s Service continue to work closely with Housing Connect and other Stephen Hill, Launceston City Mission services to provide the best possible outcome. Jenny Bertram, Magnolia Place LWS A new initiative this year has been to develop a Lisa Legge, Youth Futures Inc. collaborative relationship with the Partners in Recovery team who organise a group information session on a six weekly basis in the Shelter. This arose from discussions at the Specialist Homelessness Services forums, and is an example of the wonderful networking opportunity provided at the meetings. My team have appreciated the training conducted by the Shelter Tasmania Workforce Development Program, with funding provided by the State Government. The feedback regarding the training has been very positive, so we are receiving value for money through the wise decision to fund Shelter Tasmania to organise the project.
YOUTH FUTURES INC Youth Futures Inc. dislikes moving a young person on ‘because their time is up’, although sometimes this is the case due to demand for the service and a shortage of
11 Shelter Tasmania Annual Report 2016 SOUTHERN COMMITTEE MEMBERS’ REPORT
SOUTHERN REPORT The young women of Mara also designed a ‘makeover’ Housing Connect reached another milestone in 2016, for the Mara garden, which Colony 47 has been able to celebrating three years of operation. We have achieved facilitate through a partnership with Bunnings. Thanks so much over these past three years, notably our to donations from Bunnings the front garden has been collaboration and camaraderie with the services that landscaped and the young women have secured an make up the housing and homelessness service system. environmentally friendly future for Mara House by We have also upheld an emphasis on achieving great installing a composting bin. consumer outcomes and endeavor to keep this as a focus Anglicare’s Youthcare program provided crisis in all of the work we undertake. accommodation to 67 young males, with 26.8% aged between 13 and 16 years, 65% aged between 17 and 19 SUPPORTING YOUNG PEOPLE years, and 8.2% 20 years old. This diversity of ages in Youthcare requires the service to be highly adaptable We continued to develop our specialist pathway and to the varying developmental stages of the clients and response for young people experiencing homelessness. a strong focus is on managing the risk that comes from Our Housing Connect Front Door and Support Services such a diverse age range. Most of the clients at Youthcare have dedicated staff specifically trained to respond to are on Youth Allowance income from Centrelink, which the needs of young people and engage them in short makes affordable housing outcomes highly challenging and long term strategies to gain and sustain successful with limited income for rent and very few private rental tenancies throughout their life. properties being offered to young people. Colony 47’s Mara House program is continuing to run Anglicare officially launched Trinity Hill, which has 46 in-house education and employment programs in accommodation units (16 NDIS units and 30 general units) partnership with MEGT to support young women prepare with communal facilities such as a games room, gym, to enter the workforce, and have also launched the Mara study room and commercial kitchen. Trinity Hill services Mural Project during Homelessness Week. This creative are delivered by a partnership between Anglicare, project was developed by the young women to ‘lighten Community Housing Ltd and Mission Australia. Trinity Hill the place up’ and make the space their own. The project commenced service in mid-December 2015, and by the was led by artist and Mara worker Rebekah Stewart, 30th of June 2016 the property was at 83% occupancy. who engaged the Mara residents and provided the All young people are supported to engage in education, opportunity for the young women to network, develop employment or training, with 76% of tenants actively new skills and contribute to their environment in a way engaged in one of the three activities by 30th of June they can be very proud of. 2016. Trinity Hill is a notable example of how effective
12 Shelter Tasmania Annual Report 2016 housing and onsite support can change the lives of young The Colony 47 Community Christmas Lunch continues people and help them to stabilise and realise their future to grow each year and is a huge success, thanks to those within a supportive environment. local businesses and individuals in our community who volunteer their time and donate food and gifts in order to provide for families in need on Christmas Day. This event RESPONDING TO DOMESTIC VIOLENCE brings people (150 volunteers and 324 guests) together to The Hobart Women’s Shelter (HWS) has continued to see share in over 70kg of Christmas turkey, 400 plus hampers an increase in requests for accommodation. There were and over 400 specially wrapped gifts. 1,406 requests, compared with 982 for the previous year. 114 women and 165 children were accommodated during 2015/2016, compared to 93 women and 126 children ACCESS AND INNOVATION for the 2014/2015 year. 51.6% of support periods were The Specialist Homelessness Information Platform (SHIP) due to domestic and family violence. This continues to database was developed further this year, and Front be overwhelmingly the major reason women seek crisis Door workers are now using SHIP alone for all elements accommodation, while an additional 26.3% of support of our service delivery. This integration, along with many periods were sought for housing crisis and housing other enhancements, has created efficiencies for workers, affordability stress. Other reasons for support included allowing more time to be spent on service delivery and previous accommodation having ended, and relationship less on data entry. According to Infoxchange, who built and family breakdown. the database, the enhancements Tasmania has made to the platform are a nationwide first. In the coming year As requests for crisis accommodation continue to grow, we will see even more changes as the Type 3 services we were very pleased to see the unveiling from the (crisis and transitional accommodation providers) will Tasmanian Government of the $25.6 million four-year join the rest of the SHS services in this integrated system. package of measures to tackle Family Violence. Part of The integration allows for easy transfer of consumer this package includes funding to build a new site for HWS. information, meaning that consumers do not The new site will allow for a 30% increase in capacity need to repeat their story as they move through (to an estimated 70 beds). The new single site will also Housing Connect. vastly improve safety for the women and children who access the service. A holistic approach to providing Phone communication is a key tool for people individual development opportunities in both traditional experiencing homelessness who often struggle to keep educational fields (literacy and numeracy), as well as their mobile phones charged. The City of Hobart has the opportunities for clients to develop physical, social, held a broad community consultation and finalised the financial and relationship skills, will be delivered. City’s Housing and Homelessness Strategy 2016-2019, after consultation with the Southern SHS Services. One Colony 47’s Front Door and support teams further initiative to come out of the Strategy is the installation of developed our specialist Domestic and Family Violence mobile phone charge stations at a number of locations Response Team. This recognizes the increased need that across Hobart. Many of Hobart’s libraries also have the Housing Connect service has received in the last year free access to wi-fi, which allows consumers to download and the importance in providing a specialist response for 500MB at a time. clients experiencing domestic violence. This specialist team has completed relevant training and is an active Recently Hobart City Mission have partnered with Orange member of Women’s Essential Service Providers (WESP) Sky Laundry, which operates across eight locations five and the Southern Domestic Violence Coordinating days every week, giving people on the street or sleeping Committee (DVCC), which continues to lobby and rough access to clean laundry. These fully functioning advocate for increased resources to address the barriers laundry vans include six orange chairs, which operators that these families and individuals face. say act as a catalyst for positive and genuine conversation between the Orange Sky Laundry volunteers and the people using the service. RAISING AWARENESS AND ADVOCACY Housing Connect, along with Colony 47’s Mara House The Hobart City Mission (HCM) Housing Connect Support and Reconnect programs, participated in the Youth team’s recent staff changes mean that they have a Homelessness Matters Day (YHMD) event that took place full complement of staff to cover client needs. A new on April 15 at Parliament Lawns during National Youth leadership structure has reduced overheads and allowed Week. The event raised the profile of Housing Connect HCM to apply additional resources to client support. with many young people and service providers. HCM has formed strong partnerships with other NGO’s and private real estate agencies to improve outcomes During Anti-Poverty Week, Colony 47 facilitated two for consumers. panel discussions across two days. Leading Tasmanian Parliamentarians from all sides of politics discussed Loui’s Van is an after-hours mobile service providing and debated the issues of “Gender inequality and its food, information, support, clothing, blankets, sleeping relationship to poverty” and “Growing youth attainment bags and survival packs (funded by Hobart City Council) and employment in Tasmania”. Colony 47 has conducted to a wide range of people, including those experiencing high level panel discussions for the last three years as homelessness. The service is free and available to part of the annual national Anti-Poverty Week awareness anyone who approaches the van. The service, provided raising campaign. by a roster of 265 volunteers working in teams of four, operates 6 nights a week across 7 communities in Hobart
13 Shelter Tasmania Annual Report 2016 and surrounds and currently assists an average of forty support to a number of affordable housing tenants at people on each night of the week that they operate. risk of homelessness as a result of a range of mental and physical health issues. St Vincent de Paul Society have received support again this year from City of Hobart to develop and distribute A major challenge for the CGT support team is to identify Survival Packs (including Metro Cards) to services within meaningful training and employment opportunities the Hobart municipality; Housing Connect, the Link, for the significant proportion of our tenant community. Hobart Women’s Shelter, The Salvation Army, During the past year CGT partnered with a number of Hobart City Mission, Bethlehem House and Loui’s Van. organisations, including TasTAFE and LINC, to provide The Survival Packs include items such as: a blanket, onsite vocation and educational opportunities for beanie, socks, first aid kit, drink bottle, keep cup, note supported and affordable housing tenants. book, pen and toiletries. THINKING AHEAD… HOUSES AND HOMES The development and eventual implementation of Anglicare’s Supported Residential Facility (SRF) service the Outcomes Framework will enable us to capture model provides long-term housing for people on low the effectiveness of Housing Connect, as a service that incomes who have low support needs, in a communal contributes to the broader housing and homelessness environment. The lodges each accommodate between system. As we get even better at measuring the outcomes 26 (Bayview Lodge) and 36 (Bilton Lodge) people. we achieve we will be able to use this data to continue At each site there are Lodge Managers available at all enhancing our service system and respond better to the times, a part-time Recreation & Support Worker and a needs of people who access our programs. cook. The residents are provided with three meals a day, Through the provision of targeted training, thanks to a linen service and have access to amenities at the lodges. Shelter Tasmania’s Workforce Development Strategy, we The purpose of funding for the SRFs is to provide long are building a stronger workforce and adding to the skills term supported accommodation for people who: of our already highly experienced teams. Also due to the • have a range of social, health and wellbeing needs great work of Shelter Tasmania our consumers will begin • have low support needs to have a stronger voice as we implement and embed • are experiencing homelessness or are at risk consumer engagement techniques and strategies into of homelessness our service delivery and design. • have reduced capacity to sustain independent tenancies Advocacy needs to remain a focus for us all as the future • prefer to live in a communal setting of National Partnership Agreement on Homelessness • satisfy the public housing eligibility criteria. (NPAH) funding remains undecided; the loss of this funding would mean a significant reduction in services. Both Bayview and Bilton Lodge have benefited from I look forward to working with Shelter Tasmania and other major works being completed over the past few months. organisations to lobby for this funding to be maintained Many of the upgrades have improved the amenities, and to continue our work together in helping Tasmanians presentation and functionality of the buildings. to find and maintain safe and affordable homes. The SRFs have continued to work collaboratively with A big thank you to everyone who contributed to Specialist Homelessness Services as well as hospitals, this report. mental health services and disability services to establish and maintain positive long-term outcomes for the people we house. The average tenure at Bayview Lodge is 2.3 years and the average tenure for Bilton Lodge is 3.2 years. This data demonstrates that, with the right supports in place, people can stabilise their lives and improve their future prospects. Didi Okwechime The number of applicants for Common Ground Tasmania Colony 47 (CGT) housing remains steady, representing a demand on behalf of Southern SMC members. that outstrips the forecast supply of 6-8 vacancies a year. After years of street homelessness, 46% of formerly homeless tenants have now lived at Common Ground for two years or more, and many for over three years. This success is testimony to a housing model that offers a combination of safe, permanent housing and onsite support services. Acknowledgement needs to be made to the constructive partnerships that have been developed and sustained during the past 12 months. The social mix within the Common Ground community is also an important attribute of the model. More broadly, the support team continues to offer brief intervention
14 Shelter Tasmania Annual Report 2016 COUNCIL FOR HOMELESS PERSONS AUSTRALIA (CHPA) AND HOMELESSNESS AUSTRALIA REPORTS 2016 COUNCIL FOR HOMELESS PERSONS A key focus area for HA this year was developing a policy AUSTRALIA (CHPA) platform and implementing a campaign for the Federal CHPA advocates for social justice for families and single Election. HA was a member of a national alliance of adults who are homeless or at risk of homelessness. housing, homelessness and welfare peak bodies aimed at It endeavours to do this through the development of ensuring housing affordability and homelessness were key policy and information exchange. Council members election issues. The alliance asked all Australians to stand represent a large number of homelessness organisations up for change by signing the Vote Home petitions calling throughout Australia; both Peak Body and service delivery. for a national strategy to end the housing crisis The Council itself is made up of members from each State by 2025. and Territory and has two face-to-face meetings each The Vote Home election year, with teleconferences in between. CHPA, along with campaign exceeded NYCH (National Youth Coalition for Housing) and WESNET expectations, particularly (Women’s Emergency Services Network), are part of in relation to the reach of Homelessness Australia. In 1999, CHPA became a sub- the signatures of support committee of Shelter Tasmania to ensure the retention and the media coverage. of a Tasmanian voice and ongoing dialogue on More than 35,000 homelessness issues. people signed on for CHPA welcomed Katherine McKernan from Homelessness the campaign and the NSW into the Chair’s role in 2016, whilst congratulating national Labor and Green our previous Chairperson Jenny Smith as the new parties both announced their support of the homelessness Homelessness Australia Chair. elements of the Vote Home platform. In the absence of a funded National Peak Body, CHPA took Another key issue for HA is the extension of the National a lead role in planning Homelessness Week (1st to 7th Partnership Agreement on Homelessness (NPAH) that August), working closely with Shelter WA who were able expires in June 2017 and equates to $115M in federal to secure funding. This year HW preceded the National funding. On 4th November the State and Territory housing Census. Given the importance of accurately counting and homelessness ministers will be meeting to discuss a people experiencing homelessness it was decided to also range of issues, including the NPAH. HA have arranged a collaborate with the Australian Bureau of Statistics and so meeting at the same time and venue to make the sector’s the tag line #homelessnesscounts was developed for the concerns known, which include both re-funding the NPAH 2016 awareness raising campaign. The National launch of with indexation and the need for a national plan to end HW was in WA and attended by HA Chair Jenny Smith. The homelessness. The meeting will seek to bring together key Tasmanian launch was held in conjunction with the new people from the homelessness sector and will include a supported youth accommodation facility Trinity Hill launch press conference and roundtable discussion of the current and held on site. The range of guest speakers included NPAH and areas for further reform. Terri Fox from ABS, who spoke about the strategies being Despite no commitment from the current Government, implemented by the ABS in relation to the homelessness the HA Board is resolved to working in partnership with count. housing interests, with the intention of seeing the funding CHPA remain committed to working as part of of a national homelessness and housing peak in the next Homelessness Australia and others to develop a new few years. Currently, HA is working closely with National National Housing & Homelessness Peak Body and this will Shelter to this end and looking at further joint projects be a focus going into 2017. in 2017. On a final note, thank you to all my CHPA and HA HOMELESSNESS AUSTRALIA colleagues for what has been another big year on the national stage. There has been an enormous commitment Homelessness Australia (HA) is the National Peak shown by the Board and Council members to undertake Body whose vision is to create a framework for ending the work of HA in the face of no longer having an HA office homelessness in Australia. HA was formed in late 1998 or any paid staff. A special thank you to Jenny Smith, as the Australian Federation of Homelessness Katherine McKernan, Kate Cvetanovski, Michael Coffey and Organisations (AFHO), bringing together 3 councils Pauline Woodbridge, who have taken on the lion’s share of (CHPA, NYCH & WESNET). the work to keep us moving forward. HA was de-funded from 1st July 2015 after an announcement that the three housing and homelessness peak bodies – Homelessness Australia, National Shelter and Community Housing Federation Australia - would not be offered new contracts by the Australian Government. Despite this decision Homelessness Australia has Belinda Jones continued to focus on contributing to national policy Council for Homeless Persons Australia Board Member, and advocating on homelessness issues; albeit with a Homelessness Australia Board Member. significantly reduced capacity. 15 Shelter Tasmania Annual Report 2016 COMMUNITY HOUSING INDUSTRY ASSOCIATION (CHIA)
COMMUNITY HOUSING IN TASMANIA 2016 OVERVIEW The Tasmanian Community Housing providers have with CHIA over the coming year to auspice a Tasmanian strived to provide good quality, flexible, innovative and community housing branch, supported by Tasmanian responsive services over the last year. They have invested CHIA members that will provide guidance and input to in local communities and worked hard to create strong the focus and functions of CHIA. This group will work partnerships with key stakeholders, including but not closely with Shelter Tas. to ensure that the local limited to, residents, contractors, support organisations, providers are better able to promote community housing neighbourhood houses, children and family centres, in Tasmania. community members, local business and Local Councils. Working with the community has been the key to making community housing successful. Crucial, too, has been the acceptance, support and commitment from local residents with a high majority of tenancies now under direct lease with Better Housing Futures providers. Melissa Palframan and Jed Donoghue The key community housing achievements during the SMC and CHIA representatives. year include robust community development programs across the Better Housing Futures providers, such as scholarship programs, community gardens, traineeships, festivals/community days, residents advisory committees, skills development programs, education, health and wellbeing initiatives and arts projects. Master Plans have also been developed for the Better Housing Futures areas and the strategies within the plans are underway. Replenishment of stock is well underway, with a strong investment in the roll out of heat pumps across the providers and the ongoing investment in maintenance works. The average proportion of property allocations to priority applicants on waits list is housed by Better Housing Futures providers is currently at 90%, whilst occupancy is at around 98.5%. Rent arrears, as a percentage of all rent collected to date for the year across the Better Housing Futures Programs, is an average of 1%.
COMMUNITY HOUSING INDUSTRY ASSOCIATION (CHIA) Shelter Tasmania has a strong commitment to building the capacity and growth of community housing in Tasmania. Shelter Tas has supported the reforms to the community housing model, which includes the establishment of Better Housing Futures and the National Community Housing Regulations. In June 2015, Community Housing Federation of Australia transitioned into Community Housing Industry Association (CHIA). CHIA has established a National Board, with Tasmanian representatives. In 2015 Melissa Palframan and in 2016 Jed Donohue were the Tasmanian delegates. As both are members of the Shelter Management Committee, this has enabled collaboration with CHIA on State and National housing issues. Shelter Tas is part of the CHIA policy group and has provided input into submissions on the NDIS Framework and to the Productivity Commission’s national enquiry into Human Services reforms. Shelter Tas will continue to work in close collaboration Trinity Hill
16 Shelter Tasmania Annual Report 2016 Bec, Georgia, Didi, Heidi-Marie at Consumer Symposium Part of Trinity Hill Mural
Don at Training, Launceston Michelle, Sue and Meg at Consumer Symposium Karinya Team at Consumer Symposium
Didi, Danny and Pattie at Mara House Bec painting Mara House Mural Vote Home Campaign, Parliament House - Canberra
Street Art, Launceston Complex Clients and Self Care Training in Hobart
Motivational Interviewing Training in Hobart Free Charging Station at LINC
17 Shelter Tasmania Annual Report 2016 NATIONAL SHELTER REPORT
A YEAR OF RISK AND REWARD • Compass Housing Many years go around with a mundanity and pattern • Uniting Communities SA making them almost indistinguishable from the previous • Anglicare Victoria and following ones. 2015/16 wasn’t like that. • Southern Youth and Family Services • Mission Australia. It began with no certain income beyond the prospect of reasonably modest fees from State Shelters and national Additionally, we received support from the West Australian members so, although we did have indications of broader Government, South Australian Government, Shelter WA, support possible, it was probable the future would be Shelter NSW, Shelter SA and the NSW Tenants Union, who staff-less and reliant on the goodwill of members for even have contributed to our advocacy. The governments of WA modest activity levels. and SA specifically supported a report on the impacts of Commonwealth policy settings to house price inflation. The The absence of reliable income can have a number of report from that project will be released soon. impacts. It may be debilitating, leading to a spiral of uncertainty and decline, or it may pump up the adrenalin, We received a project commission from Griffith University inspiring creativity and focused thinking. The reality for and Queenslanders with a Disability network (QDN) to National Shelter has been the latter, and we survived the prepare an issues paper on housing for people with a year with improved prospects for the future and with some disability, which was released in August 2016. significant achievements we can be proud of. Among all this I retain a role in the Logan City of Choice At a personal level it sometimes felt like a high wire act and, Leadership Team, which helps to ground me in a specific whilst the year contained some delicate balancing, I haven’t local community and to keep an eye on the proposed fallen yet. Logan Renewal Project (now cancelled). It has also kept me connected to Qld Ministers and the local Federal member, In 2015/16 we may be proud that we established new and and has been helpful in connecting to the Griffith successful partnerships, launched a highly publicised and University project. critically acclaimed new indicator in the National Rental Affordability Index, completed a number of submissions to Looking back, the year has been incredibly active and risky inquiries and processes and ran, again in partnership with but also rewarding. Whilst my role remains insecure it has others, a successful election campaign. also benefited from great support. I talk weekly with Mary Perkins, our Chairperson, and that has been invaluable The National Shelter profile remained strong with good in managing competing demands and ensuring that media coverage and, although we cannot claim any Governance and Administration share the planning and significant shift in the government’s policy position, we can work prioritisation. claim some credit for the adoption of policies by the ALP and Greens broadly aligned with our own, which preceded Other Executive members have also been a consistent their adoption. support. Thanks go to Alice, Chantal and, lately, Pattie and, for a brief time, Travis, whose willingness to undertake roles We were represented in a range of conferences and in the ACT is welcomed and appreciated. processes, highlighted through our participation and influence on the National Reform Summit in August 2015 I regularly talk to council members. You have all been (convened by ACOSS, the Business Council of Australia extremely supportive. and the ACTU) and our presence at the National Housing Thanks to Queensland Shelter for involving me in their Conference in Perth in October. The Perth event also Cairns Conference. included prominent sponsorship by Shelter WA and our chairing of a key session on States and affordable Thanks to Margaret Ward at Griffith University and Paige housing plans. Armstrong at QDN for their support through the disability project. Our financial position has improved, thanks to the almost unanimous agreement from State Shelters to raise their Thanks also to all the new Associate members and other membership fees, which we acknowledge is challenging for supporters who have provided the cash to ensure our State peak bodies and is therefore even more appreciated. ongoing viability. We also received new supporters, and thanks go to HIGHLIGHTS: Brisbane Housing Company, Compass, CHL and SGCH for the financial sponsorship of our NAHA and Supply • The launch of the National Rental Affordability Index Forums. Jobs Australia, SVDP National Council and Uniting • The National Reform Summit, at which a housing reform Communities SA also provided their support in taking out agenda was prominent memberships and inspiring a new category of membership • “No Place Like Home”, an Issues Paper on housing for for National Shelter. people with disability, and the subsequent symposium sponsored by Griffith University, attended by 300 So far we have signed up 9 Associate Members: delegates in Qld • Yarra Community Housing • Ongoing support from State Shelters and new • Brisbane Housing Co. Associate Members. • Bridge Housing Company
18 Shelter Tasmania Annual Report 2016 POLITICAL ENGAGEMENT • National Shelter supports call for a National Body for We conducted another Day of Action in Parliament Aboriginal Housing House, through which we arranged meetings with 25 • Leadership needed on great Australian dream MPs and Senators with 5 delegations of 2 people. We turned nightmare have now undertaken this process in the last two years • Negative gearing cap gains release and will continue again in 2017. It helps build our profile • National Shelter Budget release within the parliament, especially with the back bench, cross bench and new parliamentarians, and enhances the • National Shelter Press Conference @ Parliament House: understanding of our issues across politics. Stop playing politics with housing • ALP Housing Game Changer In addition, I have also met with representatives of the Treasurer, Minister for DSS, Opposition leader, Opposition • National housing peak calls for urgent action in Treasury spokesperson, Deputy Opposition Leader, Federal Budget Opposition Housing and Homelessness Spokesperson, • Mini summit must address housing for maxi impact both Deputy Leaders of the Greens, and the Greens Leader. • National Shelter research shows new options for social I also attended the Parliamentary Friendship Group for housing rents fail affordability test Better Cities sponsored by the Property Council of Australia, • Housing key to achieving National Reform Summit aims and meetings of the ALP Urban Policy Dialogue, sponsored by the Opposition Infrastructure spokesperson. • Reform of Federation Ugly Sleeping Giant • Case for housing tax reform grows • Dream Over: Government wilfully ignorant on CONFERENCE PRESENTATIONS housing affordability. 1. COTA Policy Forum Housing, Gender and Older Australians, Canberra, July 2015 2. Aventedge 2nd Annual Affordable Housing KEY COLLABORATIONS Development Summit, Sydney, July 2015 • ACOSS ongoing teleconference with peaks and national 3. National Reform Summit, ACOSS, BCA, ACTU at KPMG, organisations re housing and homelessness Sydney, August 2015 • ACOSS tax group, ongoing teleconferences 4. Powerhousing Australia and Brisbane Housing Co. and meetings Non-Executive Forum, Brisbane, October 2015 • SGS, Community Sector Banking re Rental 5. National Housing Conference, AHURI, Perth, Affordability index October 2015 • Community Housing providers re NAHA Housing Supply 6. Housing for People with Disability, Griffith University, Forum, election, strategy and policy Brisbane, February 2016 • Homelessness Australia re-election campaign and 7. NSW Shelter Election Forum, Sydney, June 2016 ongoing discussions re establishing a new broad peak for housing and homelessness policy and advocacy 8. Shelter Tas Symposium on Consumer participation and engagement, Hobart, June 2016 • Queenslanders with a Disability network QDN and Griffith University re housing for people with disability, QShelter Conference, Cairns, July 2016, re Housing for 9. including issues/policy position. People with Disability 10. Griffith University, Queenslanders with a Disability and National Shelter Symposium “A Place to Call Home”, Brisbane, August 2016. I also attended the ACOSS conference and AGM.
SUBMISSIONS COMPLETED Adrian Pisarski 1. The Council On Federal Financial Relations Affordable Executive Officer Housing Working Group National Shelter. 2. Productivity Commission Inquiry Human Services: Identifying Sectors For Reform.
MEDIA RELEASES 18 Media Releases: • NDIS Symposium on Housing for People with Disability • New Ministry • Secret negative gearing put pressure on LNP to release housing policy
19 Shelter Tasmania Annual Report 2016 SHELTER TAS REPORT ON ACTIVITIES 2015-2016
Shelter Tas continues to work hard in pursuit of our INCLUDE AFFORDABLE HOUSING IN TOWN mission of ‘…providing a collective voice for services and PLANNING PROCESSES service users to effect positive change in the housing and Shelter Tas has made a major effort this year towards homelessness sector’. We work across four core areas (in achieving better housing outcomes through Tasmania’s line with our Strategic Plan): planning system. In our submission to the Sullivan Cove • Systemic advocacy Planning Scheme Amendments we argued the case for • Sector capacity building including affordable housing on government owned land • Consumer engagement at Macquarie Point. We also made a representation before • Organisational viability. the Tasmanian Planning Commission.
SYSTEMIC ADVOCACY Following last year’s participation in State planning system reforms, we lodged a further submission SUBMISSIONS on the Draft State Planning Provisions, supported STATE BUDGET 2016-17 by representation before the Tasmanian Planning Commission. We argued the need for changes to the Land Each year Shelter Tas is invited to make a submission Use Planning and Approvals Act (1993) and the Draft State to the State Budget on behalf of the housing and Planning Policy, to provide a stronger State planning homelessness sector. This year we welcomed a number framework for inclusion of affordable housing. We also of initiatives that aligned with our recommendations, called for a robust State Policy on housing affordability including the allocation of an additional $60m to help that has statutory affect. We are yet to hear the outcome implement Tasmania’s Affordable Housing Strategy. of either of these processes. This enabled investment in new housing for young people in Hobart and Devonport, older people and people living with a disability. NATIONAL INQUIRY INTO THE REFORM OF HUMAN SERVICES (STAGE 1) Shelter Tas supports the State Government’s ongoing The Productivity Commission’s national inquiry into efforts to renegotiate the repayment of Tasmania’s the reform of human services has the potential to housing debt to the Australian Government. We continue significantly alter the way in which Tasmanian housing to call on the State Government to: adequately fund and homelessness services are delivered. The Inquiry is Equal Remuneration Orders; increase funds to meet the investigating how services can operate within a market severe shortage of social housing; address the ongoing oriented environment of competition, contestability and issue of housing options for those under 16 years old; and user informed choice. Shelter Tas has joined in national introduce incremental bond payments for tenants with limited funds. submissions, with National Shelter and the Community
20 Shelter Tasmania Annual Report 2016 Housing Industry Association, to support the inclusion NETWORKING AND SECTOR ENGAGEMENT of community housing in the further stages of reform. A major part of our sector engagement involves However, Shelter Tas has submitted separately to facilitating and chairing regular Specialist Homelessness make the case that homelessness services should not Services Forums in the North/North West and South, be included under the proposed system. The second providing valuable input to all aspects of our advocacy, submission requested that the Commissioner reverse his engagement and capacity building work. preliminary decision to include homelessness services in the reform process. A final decision is yet to be released. We also facilitate the Tasmanian Youth Housing and Homelessness Group (TYHHG), in partnership with SECTOR ENGAGEMENT ON NEW OUTCOMES the Youth Network of Tasmania (YNOT). Major areas of REPORTING REQUIREMENTS interest this year have been the State Government’s Youth This year Shelter Tas facilitated engagement with Housing at Risk Strategy and advocating the need to address the Tasmania on its outcomes reporting framework through ongoing issue of appropriate housing options for young our regular State-wide Specialist Homelessness Service people under 16 years. Forums. We have succeeded in influencing reporting Shelter Tas continues to partner with housing and processes to avoid burdening the sector with homelessness bodies in other States and Territories, additional requirements. including: National Shelter, Community Housing Industry Association (CHIA), Homelessness Australia and Council to CAMPAIGNS Homelessness Persons (CHP). We also participate in the following State-wide networks: RENEW THE NATIONAL PARTNERSHIP AGREEMENT ON HOMELESSNESS • The Tasmanian Peaks Network Women’s Essential Service Providers (WESP) We have put significant effort into campaigning for • the renewal of the National Partnership Agreement on • Affordable Housing Strategy – working groups Homelessness (NPAH), due to expire in June 2017. This • State Policy Officers’ Network Agreement delivers $5.6m to Tasmania annually for early • Communication Officers’ Network intervention and prevention services that help vulnerable • Mental Health and Housing Forum Tasmanians avoid or exit homelessness. • Social Housing and Information Group (SHIP) Ending this funding would have a catastrophic impact on • Partners in Recovery Reference Group thousands of Tasmanians. Our advocacy activities have • Community Sector Peaks Network and Government included: participating with our partners in a national Strategic Forum campaign in the lead up to the Housing Ministers’ • CHIA National Policy Group meeting held in Sydney in November; attending a summit • Housing Connect Regional Group (Southern) held concurrently with the Ministers’ meeting; lobbying • Housing Tas Quarterly Meetings. Tasmanian Senators, key State Government ministers and members of the Opposition; generating a media release and fact sheet outlining the impacts if funding were lost; MEDIA and encouraging member lobbying activity. Shelter Tas has maintained its sound media presence, with a positive response from print, radio and television DEVELOPING A NEW NATIONAL HOUSING journalists to our media releases circulated this year. AND HOMELESSNESS PEAK Shelter Tas is regarded as a strong, reliable and well- The decision by the Australian Government to defund informed voice on housing and homelessness issues. peak bodies in December 2014 has presented a major We have also produced a number of ‘Talking Point’ challenge to co-ordinating housing and homelessness articles, which were printed in the Mercury. Maintaining sector peaks activities nationally. Shelter Tas has been our social media presence allows us to connect with participating in discussions with other partners to and provide information to journalists, politicians, develop a new peak body for housing and homelessness commentators, other individuals and organisations. to address this challenge. The use of Twitter means we can alert our ‘followers’ to pertinent topics and participate in national campaigns. OTHER ADVOCACY ACTIVITIES These campaigns include: recent lobbying around continued funding for the National Partnership Hobart City Council Housing and Homelessness • Agreement on Homelessness (NPAH); and, together Strategy (submission) with National Shelter and other national homelessness • Healthy Tasmania Five Year Strategic Plan (submission) organisations, the ‘Vote Home’ social media-based • Commissioner for Children Tasmania on Child and campaign in May and June 2016. Family Domestic Violence (submission) A special edition eNews and social media input were used • Micro Housing Pilot Initiative Working Group during Homelessness Week 2016, allowing us to promote Youth at Risk Strategy • events across the State and draw attention to issues • Homelessness Week related to homelessness. This was one of more than 20 • Budget Estimates questions regular eNews bulletins produced during the year. • Rental Affordability Index • Tasmanian Homes Act - submission, lobbying and delegation to MLCs.
21 Shelter Tasmania Annual Report 2016 These bulletins inform readers of housing and TASMANIAN CONSUMER AND homelessness sector news, issues and events. WORKFORCE SYMPOSIUM Our subscribers continue to find the eNews a valuable One particularly noteworthy WDS event was the June 2016 resource, providing very positive feedback on it in this Symposium, which brought together homelessness sector year’s Member Survey. workers, consumers and Housing Tas representatives We have updated our Communication and Media Strategy, to discuss ways to improve engagement with people aligning it more closely with our Strategic Plan and accessing homelessness services. Almost 70 people Funding Agreement. This has clarified delegations, social attended the day and, of the evaluations received, 96% media guidelines and positions on the organisation’s rated the Symposium as good-excellent. One result of key messages. Also included was responsibility for the this event is a set of ‘how-to’ guides, which will provide management of various new technologies, as these had a valuable and practical resource for the sector and offer only been developed in recent years and had not been assistance in implementing discussed strategies for included in the previous Strategy. consumer consultation. The ‘how-to’ guides have been developed by a Resources Advisory Sub-Group (made up Finally, our thanks to SMC member, Stephen Hill, who of service providers nominated from the WDS Reference has been officially appointed Shelter’s photographic Group and consumers who attended the Symposium), consultant. Stephen has provided many of the beautiful and to ascertain their effectiveness they will be used by photos in this year’s Annual Report and we are very services before a follow-up forum in 2017. fortunate to be able to make the most of his talent. A mid-term WDS report has been produced, reflecting on the outcomes of the Project so far and demonstrating its CAPACITY BUILDING value to homelessness sector workers in providing them with professional development opportunities. WORKFORCE DEVELOPMENT STRATEGY Thanks go to the WDS Reference Group who have provided We have significantly increased our capacity to deliver their time, sector knowledge and support to the Project. professional development training to homelessness sector Their commitment has been instrumental in its success. workers through our Workforce Development Strategy In particular, thank you to Didi Okwechime, who acted as (WDS), which is funded by the Department of Health and WDS Chair in Pattie’s absence and has provided valuable Human Services. feedback on reporting and strategic support throughout The Strategy has been highly successful so far. We have the Project. received very positive feedback from those people who attended training, and also from evaluation forms which were collected after each session. The collated results CERT IV AND DIPLOMA IN SOCIAL HOUSING of the evaluations showed that 95% of people rated the Shelter Tas continues to partner with Housing Tasmania session they attended as good-excellent, which highlights and the NSW Federation of Housing Association’s Centre to the success of the Project so far. offer Cert IV and Diploma level training in Social Housing (funded by Skills Tas). This training has enabled the We were very pleased to be able to confirm the extension professional development of workers from the community of the WDS contract earlier this year, and will be able to and public sector and attracted participants from across deliver training opportunities to the homelessness sector the State. until June 2017. At the last Annual Report the WDS had just begun (with a highly successful training day on dealing with Crystal Methamphetamine-affected clients, held in collaboration with ATDC). We have now held a number of training sessions across a wide range of topics: • Anti-discrimination and Gender Awareness • Culturally Responsive Community Work • Complex Clients and Self-Care, best practice for workers • Know Your Residential Tenancy Act and Amendments • Tasmanian Homelessness and Housing Workforce Symposium • Trauma Informed Practice • Motivational Interviewing. These subjects were selected after consultation with the homelessness sector workforce, WDS Reference Group and Shelter Tas members. We comprehensively researched training organisations and specific trainers to ensure we selected the right person to conduct the sessions. As a result, we have had wonderful local trainers (such as Al Hines from Red Cross and Meredith Barton from the Tenants’ Union) and interstate organisations such as Amovita and The Lighthouse Institute. Cert IV and Diploma Graduation
22 Shelter Tasmania Annual Report 2016 ORGANISATIONAL VIABILITY Reporting Framework; continuing to pursue the inclusion of affordable housing through Tasmania’s planning Under our 3 year funding agreement with the system; maintaining our productive relationship with Department of Health and Human Services, we have government on housing related matters; keeping a successfully met our core compliance obligations. watching brief on State and Federal Government policy This year we surveyed Shelter Tas members developments, including our active involvement in the for feedback on the quality, reach and level human services reform agenda; continuing to offer our of satisfaction with our services. Members Workforce Development Project and accredited training overwhelmingly reported high levels of satisfaction, in social housing; embedding changes under the new particularly valuing our role in advocacy and constitution; reviewing our Strategic Plan; updating our awareness raising; keeping members informed; suite of fact sheets on housing and homelessness; and helping the sector to connect and work and, we hope, celebrating the long term renewal of the collaboratively. NPAH Agreement! A major achievement has been the development Thank you to all of our members and our hard working of the proposed new Shelter Tas Constitution. Executive and Shelter Management Committee, for so If adopted, this will allow us to improve our enthusiastically supporting us in our work this year. governance efficiencies; instead of a single Management Committee, we will have an Executive Committee and a Policy Committee. We also hope the new constitution will help Shelter Tas to achieve charitable status, to allow us to attract tax deductible donations. Andrea Young & Meg Smith THE YEAR AHEAD Policy Officer Publication and Information Officer. We expect 2017 to be another busy and productive year. It will begin with our move into a new office, one floor above our present one. Our ambitions for the year include: continuing our strong and independent voice on housing and homelessness issues for low income and vulnerable Tasmanians; maintaining a strong media presence; keeping a watching brief on the implementation of Tasmania’s Affordable Housing Strategy and the Department’s Outcomes
Trinity Hill stair art
23 Shelter Tasmania Annual Report 2016 University Accommodation Construction, Hobart Zac at Homelessness Week
Mara House Staff and Residents Collins Court Mural Construction, Collins Street, Hobart
Orange Sky Laundry, image courtesy of Orange Sky Trinity Hill Launch Motivational Interviewing Training, Launceston
Motivational Interviewing Training, Hobart Vote Home Campaign, Jacinta and Andrea
Vote Home Campaign Belinda and Travis Cert IV and Diploma Graduation Trauma Informed Practice Training, Latrobe
24 Shelter Tasmania Annual Report 2016 EXECUTIVE OFFICER’S REPORT
I would like to make a big thank you upfront this year to fostering positive relationships, thus achieving outcomes. the large number of individuals and organisations who Shelter Tas’ direction is guided by its Strategic Plan and have supported and contributed to the work of Shelter Tas its 4 key focus areas: viability, consumer engagement, over the past year. capacity building and systemic advocacy. These 4 pillars Last year we celebrated Shelter Tas’ 40th Birthday, and are galvanised into action by our member’s commitment each year Shelter Tas continues to expand its vision and and partners’ support. Our annual member’s survey adapt to changing times while keeping to its fundamental showed member satisfaction of over 85% support for our purpose of promoting a fair, just and equitable housing systemic advocacy, communication and policy work. system for all. Shelter Tas is the community sector’s Our regular meetings around Tasmania with leading voice in promoting housing justice and presenting homelessness, housing and tenant services provide views on a wide range of issues impacting on housing valuable feedback and direction to our work. consumers and the housing and homelessness systems. At the 2016 Annual General Meeting we will be proposing As I write this report, it is with frustration that for the a range of changes to the constitution to enable us to third time in 3 years the homelessness sector is facing streamline our governance and set up clear roles for the funding uncertainty. The National Partnership Agreement Executive and an expanded Policy Committee. If accepted, on Homelessness which provides $5.6 million per year these changes will we implemented over the coming year. (nearly a third of Tasmanian homelessness funding), is Shelter Tas has worked hard with its members and waiting for a decision by the Federal Government. Shelter national peaks to expand the understanding across Tas, along with our national peaks National Shelter and the three tiers of government and media, that effective Homelessness Australia, are lobbying for the renewal and outcomes in housing policy needs to acknowledge the secure long term funding for such essential services to our interrelatedness of all parts of our housing system across community. I hope we are not back in this position again both the public and private spheres; covering a range next year. of government portfolios on planning, finance, urban Shelter Tas plays a unique role in bringing together development, consumer affairs, home ownership, private consumer, housing and homelessness perspectives across rental, and social housing. the State. When I attend national meetings I am confident This year we had the first of our consumer focused that our inclusive and adaptive model has been critical in symposiums, partnering with Flourish and the Peer
25 Shelter Tasmania Annual Report 2016 Education Support Program from Victoria. The Symposium that are affordable and appropriate. It is estimated that was made up of consumers and service providers, with the in Tasmania 4,700 NDIS recipients will need housing, aim of helping services deliver improved outcome to their adding to the demand and the waiting list for public and clients. An important result was the creation of consumer community housing. The State and Federal Government engagement guides. With 96% of participants rating the capital funding arrangements for the NDIS recipients are symposium as good or excellent we look forward to the still not clear as to whether it will come close to meeting next one, to build upon what we have already achieved. the demand. The last year saw the launch and implementation of the People often ask why have I stayed at Shelter, and I can Tasmanian Government’s Affordable Housing Strategy truly say the best thing about the job are the wonderful 2015-2025, with its two key outcomes of a decrease in people I meet and work with on a daily basis. This is the proportion of low income Tasmanian households where I get the chance to formally thank them. I would experiencing housing stress and a decrease in the like to thank the dedicated and very talented Executive proportion of Tasmanians experiencing homelessness. and Management Committee. In particular, I would like Shelter Tas welcomes this Strategy and the additional $60 to thank the Chair of Shelter Tas, Belinda Jones, for her million provided by the State Government. The AHS draws true leadership, support and expertise, ably supported on strong consultations, which need to be continued in by our strategic Vice Chair, Andy Witt. Our Secretary, the most important phase: its implementation. Shelter Tas’ Jed Donoghue, for his rational thinking and ability with role is to provide advice on the strategy and to identify graphs, Jenny Bertram for her generous support, and any gaps and solutions as the Strategy is rolled out over John Stubley for his guidance on our new constitution the decade. and his economic know how. This year Dr Cynthia Townley left the policy position, but we still have her as a valued Yet, Tasmania continues to face a housing affordability consultant. Farewell to David Priddle, we wish you a happy crisis, despite the myth of cheap housing. Rental retirement, and to Michael Douglas, we thank you for your unaffordability in the State is among the highest in insight and great reports. Australia, because of Tasmania’s low incomes on average. The Rental Affordability Index shows Greater Hobart The work of Shelter Tas was primarily achieved through continues to have the least affordable rental properties in the hard work of its staff. I wish to acknowledge the Australia, after Sydney. important contribution of my colleagues Meg Smith, who ably oversees the WDS and communications, the efficient For most Tasmanians, housing cost is the largest regular Sue Lush-Saunders, and our new policy officer, Andrea expense to be met from household income. Tasmania Young, whose commitment and work ethic have enabled has the nation’s highest proportion of low income Shelter Tas to take a lead in important debates and households and the highest proportion of people at risk communicate with a wider audience. We have been very of homelessness due to these low incomes. Tasmania’s lucky this year to recruit some great reserve talent. I would household incomes are around $100 less per week than like to thank Louise Foster and Phil Hoffen for their work. the Australian average. You are all a pleasure to work with. Many people are unable to buy their own home and are I’d like to also like to thank the Minister for Human facing hardship in the private rental market. In the most Services, Jacquie Petrusma, for her support and our recent figures for Tasmania 14,600 households, almost a continued funding, and her advisors Simon Duffy and quarter of those on low income experience housing stress Susie Jacobson, as well as the Chief Executive, Housing (defined as when a low income household pays more than and Disability Reform, Peter White, and colleagues 30% of their income for their rent or mortgage). Jessemy Stone, Richard Gilmour, Lynden Pennicott, Social Housing (that is, public and community housing) Tim Denby, Anna Balmforth and many other members of are the main providers of affordable housing, making up the Housing Tas team. 6% of the housing stock in Tasmania. The majority To bookend this acknowledgment, I also wish to thank the is public housing; with 7,456 properties run by Housing large number of individuals and organisations who have Tas and a growing number, 5,780, managed by community supported and contributed to the work of Shelter Tas over housing providers. In Tasmania on Census night in 2011, the past year. 1,579 people were homeless and this number is increasing. This is a serious problem, with 40% of the homelessness population under 25 and, alarmingly, 15% under 9 years old.
We know there is more work needed and gaps to fill, and Pattie Chugg we will continue to advocate and work with all parties. In Executive Officer particular, we need a sustainable social housing system Shelter Tas. with growth funding. As the National Disability Insurance Scheme (NDIS) rolls out there will be demand for homes
26 Shelter Tasmania Annual Report 2016 TREASURER’S REPORT
Total grant funds received from the Department of Health I would like to take this opportunity to thank Pattie, and Human Services for the year ending 30 June 2016 Sue and Paul for the excellent way they continue to were $321,127. This is the same level of funding as the maintain the financial records on behalf of Shelter Tas previous year, increased for CPI and Equal Remuneration and to manage the budget within the financial limitations Order wage increases. of our ongoing funding. The revenue received from memberships for the year was As Treasurer for Shelter Tas, I would like to thank all the $11,114, an increase of $1,422 (or 15%) from the previous Management Committee members for their continued year. The deficit for the year from ordinary activities support and assistance; in particular Belinda, our was $3,091. Chairperson, and our State-wide Vice Chair, Andrea. Shelter Tas had total equity of $47,960 at the commence- To Pattie, our Executive Officer, thank you too for ment of the year, and $44,869 at the end of the year. This your dedicated approach and enthusiasm for all is a decrease in equity of $3,091, in line with the deficit for Shelter Tas work. the year. This reflects a decrease in equity of 1%. I would also like to take this opportunity to thank the Cash and Receivables decreased by $40,614 from Chief Executive Housing and Disability Reform, $379,764 to $339,150, or 11%. This is largely represented Peter White, for his continued support of by grant funds received in advance, and on hand, at Shelter Tasmania. the end of the financial year ($150,323). These funds are committed to be spent during the financial year ended 30 June 2017. The financial statements were audited by Michael Muller, Chartered Accountant, for the year ended 30 June 2016, and I would like to recommend that he be engaged to John A. Stubley undertake the audit for the subsequent financial year, Treasurer being the year ended 30 June 2017. Shelter Tas. A copy of the Independent Auditor’s Report to members is attached to the Annual Report, as well as being available to Management Committee members on line.
27 Shelter Tasmania Annual Report 2016 28 Shelter Tasmania Annual Report 2016 29 Shelter Tasmania Annual Report 2016 30 Shelter Tasmania Annual Report 2016 31 Shelter Tasmania Annual Report 2016 32 Shelter Tasmania Annual Report 2016 33 Shelter Tasmania Annual Report 2016 34 Shelter Tasmania Annual Report 2016 35 Shelter Tasmania Annual Report 2016 36 Shelter Tasmania Annual Report 2016 37 Shelter Tasmania Annual Report 2016 38 Shelter Tasmania Annual Report 2016 39 Shelter Tasmania Annual Report 2016 40 Shelter Tasmania Annual Report 2016
Shelter Tasmania Inc
Committee Members 2015 – 2016
Chair: Belinda Jones
Vice Chair: Andrea Witt
Secretary: Jed Donoghue
Treasurer: John Stubley
Public Officer: Jennifer Bertram
Stephen Hill
Meredith Barton
Melissa Palframan
Ria Brink
Lisa Roberts
Michael Douglas
Shane Leonard
……………………………………………………………………. ……………………………………………………………
Signed Dated Michael J Muller Chartered Accountant
41 Shelter Tasmania Annual Report 2016