NESB Housing Taskforce NSW |
Attendance
Mary Perkins – SHELTER NSW (Chair), Emily Vaughan – SHELTER NSW, Jasmina Bajraktarevic-Hayward – STARTTS, Maureen Kingshott – MDAA, Cheryl Webster – Anglicare, Dany Ya – Liverpool MRC, Michelle Jones – Tenants Union NSW, Maryanne Sneddon - WESTHIRN
Apologies
Ibtisam Hammound – Al Zahra Muslim Women’s Assoc., Sana Al-Ahmar – MDSI, Kyungja Jung – Immigrant Women’s Speakout
Appointment of minute-taker
Emily Vaughan – Shelter NSW
Minutes of previous meeting
Due to the inconsistent nature of the original draft paper on the housing needs of refugees combined with disintegration of the supporting networks as well as minimal feedback or input for the taskforce on suggested changes. It is suggested that the draft be dropped. The draft will be filed at Shelter NSW.
Finalization of the agenda
Future membership and regroup planning of NESB Housing Taskforce NSW to be discussed
Research project on humanitarian entrant issues in accessing the private rental market
Emily Vaughan (Monash University/Shelter NSW) reported on the research to date on issues humanitarian entrants face accessing the private rental market. Three major issues arising so far include lack of tenancy records, affordability, and inappropriate housing for large families.
Other items
The future of the NESB Housing Taskforce NSW was discussed and there was a strong push for its continuation. It was confirmed that the group was a think-tank. It was a valuable space for information exchange and lastly, that it was a place where issues could be taken up.
NESB Housing Taskforce discussed regrouping and new membership. Invitations for new memberships were discussed.
General business
Cheryl Webster (Anglicare) presented the paper ‘Refugees-reliable tenants’ to be sent to the Real Estate Institute of NSW with the aim to be published in a real estate newsletter.
Cheryl Webster advised that …. from Coffs Harbour is willing to convey case studies on their successful accommodation access program which could work as a model for the NESB community.
Maryanne Sneddon of WESTHIRN's ‘Housing Resource Project’ who service the Fairfield area informed the group on the information, advocacy, liaison, referral, administrative support and group information sessions that they provide.
It was suggested that community housing be invited to educate at a future meeting.
Jasmina Bajraktarevic-Hayward (STARTTS) reminded of the UNSW Refugee Resettlement Conference November 23 to 28.
Concerns were raised of accommodation repairs not taking place when needed for humanitarian entrants. The Tenants Union fact sheet covering repairs is presently only in English, however, it should soon be available in Arabic. Michelle Jones of the Tenants Union will give contact details from the Tenants Union for such cases where individuals might access interpreters.
Michelle Jones (Tenants Union) advised of the Office of Fair Tradings’ ‘Ethnic Tenancy Plan’ offering small grants to community groups for community education, to be launched in November. NESB housing taskforce may try for a grant as a means to possibly educate real estate agents in regional areas through workshops, possibly on issues such as emerging communities and large families housing needs.
Issues to be addressed in the December meeting include obtaining grants from Fair Trading, large family accommodation, private rental and community housing. The next NESB Housing Taskforce meeting will occur on December 15 at 2.30 pm.
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Updated 6 December 2005