NESB
Housing Taskforce NSW
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NESB
Housing Taskforce minutes
Wednesday 6 February 2008
Attendance
Mary Perkins (Shelter); Julie Wood (Christian Community Aid), Cheryl Webster
(Anglicare), Vanessa Whittington (STARTTS), Shanti Sithamparanathan (Blacktown
MRC), Claudette Elaro (Southern Sydney Tenants Advice Service), Mark Lack (ACL
Apologies
Jasmina Bajraktarevic; Maureen Kingshot
3. Previous Meetings 07
The last meeting was in August and it was not considered relevant to
go through the minutes due to large time gap. The October 07 meeting was
cancelled due to low attendance. The December 07 meeting was also cancelled
as too close to Christmas and many apologies received.
4. Items for Discussion
4.1 New federal Government commitments on housing & homelessness
- National Shelter obtained significant commitments from the ALP prior to
the federal election encouraging investment in affordable housing in the
private sector but were unable to obtain significant commitments on social
housing.
- The Australian Council of Social Service (ACOSS) successfully
lobbied for a regional social inclusion agenda, and also successfully argued
for removal of the advocacy gag from organisations with commonwealth contracts
like the one ACOSS had. Law firms had reviewed these contracts and considered
these to be unconscionable. The convening of NESB Housing Taskforce by Shelter
had been related to fact that organisations with commonwealth funding contracts
had been operating under a gag.
- The Commonwealth State Housing Agreement (CSHA) runs out in June
08. It is likely to be extended by 6-12 months, while the new government
decides on the future of the Agreement. This will be a good time to lobby
the new government about what we believe will be required in new CSHA.
- For further information refer to the December Shelter newsletter
(distributed at meeting), available through membership or subscription only.
4.2 Opportunities presented by new commonwealth government
- It was felt that election of a new federal government presented an opportunity
to raise NESB housing issues, including issues for refugees, with the new
Minister. A delegation to the Housing Minister Tanya Plibersek who is also
the Member for Sydney was suggested and met with support. Members of the
Taskforce to confirm with Mary from Shelter if they are able to attend the
delegation. Issues identified in the last year’s submission by the
Taskforce to FaCSIA on increasing the social housing supply could act as
a basis for issues to raise with the Minister.
Action: Members of the Taskforce to contact Mary if they are interested
in participating in a delegation to meet with the new federal housing minister.
4.3 Review of NSW Residential Tenancies Act
- In late 2007 the Department of Fair Trading conducted a review of
the NSW Residential Tenancies Act. Shelter and the Tenants’ Union made
submissions to the Review (see their websites) expressing concerns about
proposed changes, particularly provisions that make it easier to evict private
tenants. Although it is too late for submissions, it was suggested that the
Taskforce write to the Minister for Fair Trading, expressing concerns about
the impact of the proposed changes on NESB tenants. The issue of lack of
notice of eviction in case of mortgagee repossession was discussed, as was
tenants being given notice that they are behind in their rent when this is
not the case.
Action: Vanessa from STARTTS to draft a letter in consultation with other
Taskforce members and send to Mary to finalise and send out on behalf of
Taskforce.
4.4 Issues relating to Department of Housing
- The Department of Housing Multicultural Forum now has a fixed
membership. Meetings occur every 3 months, but few people attending. Blanca
Benedicic in DOH is the contact (ph 8753 8649 blanca.benedicic@housing.nsw.gov.au).
- Some dissatisfaction at last meeting with a speaker on reshaping
public housing, as policy was presented as a fait accompli and no opportunity
for discussion. The Department was to organise a training session on key
changes to public housing for CALD community workers, but there’s been
no communication about this with Shelter, who have offered to assist in developing
the training.
4.5 Housing Appeals Committee
- Mary has attended training provided by HAC and speaks highly of it.
They will provide workshops for community organisations on the appeals process
free of charge.
- Not enough tenants are using the appeals process and their advocates
should encourage them to do so. Tenants usually get something positive out
of the appeals process.
- Promote the HAC through your newsletters.
4.6 Future of NESB Housing Taskforce
- Attendance at Taskforce has been poor over 2007. Mary led a discussion
about future of Taskforce, as there is little point in Shelter continuing
to resource a group with very low attendance. Does it have a purpose? Is
another structure needed? What do people want from the group?
- Members
indicated they come along to get information about housing matters of relevance
to clients. Mary indicated that group is a useful conduit of information
for her on what’s happening on the ground. Claudette
suggested that people should bring housing related issues coming up for NESB
clients in their workplaces and work together to address these. Cheryl suggested
that we could have a theme for each meeting.
- In terms of changing
the structure, Mary asked whether discussion of NESB housing related matters
could occur through an existing network like the Refugee Support Network?
However this might prove difficult as the RSN only deals with refugee issues,
they have changed their structure and now have a theme for each meeting and
they typically do a report back from groups such as Takforce. It was suggested
that Mary explore this option with the RSN convenor. Vanessa mentioned that
the Asylum Seekers Interagency has a Housing and Welfare subcommittee which
is now meeting again, and that they are taking initiatives in housing area.
- Mark
suggested that the Taskforce could become a Reference Group convened by Shelter
on an as needs basis to discuss business as it arises. Vanessa thought this
was a good suggestion.
- Claudette suggested that Mary survey the
members to find out what they want from this group, issues they want to work
on, the form the group should take.
- In the interim it was decided
that meetings would go from bi-monthly to quarterly.
Action: Mary to survey members of Taskforce to see what they want from group.
Meetings to now become quarterly.
6. General Business
6.1 Other business, including issues to raise at DoH Multicultural Forum
The recent notorious case of corruption at the DOH of an officer with responsibilities
for housing allocation who took bribes, and was investigated by ICAC, was discussed.
The issue of whether this reflected any systematic problems within DOH and
whether these were being addressed will be raised at DOH Multicultural Forum
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Updated
23-Aug-2007