Progress on emergency Federal funding

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We heard there’s been some very busy bureaucrats in the federal Department of Families, Housing, Community Services and Indigenous Affairs (FaHCSIA) this week. They’ve been working out how to pay out the Gillard government’s emergency funding to the network of tenant advice services and the Tenants’ Union before the state government funding is cut at the end of October. Apparently very good progress has been made but there’s still a bit of work to do yet.

Relief on the Atherton Tablelands

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Reprinted from The Tablelander, 9 October 2012, by Nikki Taylor

An eleventh hour Federal Government funding announcement has saved the Tableland Tenancy Advice Service, for now at least.

Late last week the Gillard Government said it would provide a $3.3 million emergency funding lifeline for the Queensland Tenant Advice and Advocacy Service, which offers advice and advocacy services to tenants across the state.

On July 24, Premier Campbell Newman announced all 23 services, including the Atherton office, would be scrapped as of October 31. Atherton TTA worker Marita Romano said the team was “thrilled” with the announcement which will see interim funding in place until July 2013. Continue reading →

World Homelessness Day today!

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Today’s World Homelessness Day, aimed at raising awareness about homelessness in our communities. At the pointy end of their work, tenant advocates assist people to avoid homelessness and remain adequately housed.  Where this cannot be achieved, tenant advisors help the tenant to extract themselves from the situation with the least long term impact and so they can re enter the rental market as quickly as possible.

Last week Homelessness Australia sent out a press release which articulated why we should celebrate the Federal government stepping in to fund the Queensland Tenant Advice and Advocacy Services and how our services contribute to lowering rates of homelessness.  Read the article here.

What’s your question to the Minister?

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From Queensland Parliament website

Later this month, the Queensland Parliament holds its budget estimates committees hearings. The hearings are held after proposed expenditures in the state budget are referred to portfolio committees (like housing) to examine.On the day of the hearings, both the relevant Minister and the Departmental head must attend and may be asked questions by Members of Parliament.

This year the Housing Minister will appear at a hearing on October 18.  We want to know, if you were a Member of Parliament, what question would you be asking the Minister about his decisions in this year’s budget?

You helped Save Tenant Services – thank you!

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You helped Save Tenant Services. Thank you.

Whilst we still have a long way to go to secure the long term future of the 22 local tenant advice services and the Tenants’ Union of Queensland, this week we had a significant win with the Federal government offering emergency funding to assist us until the end of June 2013.

And we want to stop for a moment and say thank you .This significant achievement would not have happened without each and every one of you.  Whatever you have done, little or big, your efforts have helped us to get here.  We’re going to be asking you to help us again in the near future but today is the day to say thank you, thank you, thank you.  Your contribution has been vital in helping us along our way.

And then there were Ipswich celebrations….

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Media Release, Wednesday, 3rd October 2012
SAVING THE TENANT ADVICE AND ADVOCACY SERVICE

The Federal Member for Blair, Shayne Neumann today announced the Federal Labor Government will provide $3.3 million in emergency funding for the Queensland Tenant Advice and Advocacy Service (TAAS), a service scrapped by the Newman Government.

The TAAS offers essential advice and advocacy services to tenants across Queensland, including Ipswich and the Somerset Region, providing assistance to 80,000 households annually.

On July 24, all 23 services funded through the TAAS were sent notice of withdrawal of funding by the Newman Government, effective 31 October.

“Advocacy and advice services like TAAS help keep Queenslanders in their homes and are critical to preventing homelessness,” Mr Neumann said.

“The axing of this important service was just another example of the Newman Government slashing jobs and services at every opportunity with no thought for people affected or the long-term repercussions.”

Mr Neumann said the Ipswich TAAS program run by the Ipswich Regional Advocacy Service Inc (IRASI) has provided support and assistance to people through the Ipswich and Somerset Regions for many years.

“Without IRASI, people who are disabled, people with educational and life challenges could be taken advantage of. Continue reading →