AMIDA NEWS Print Post Approved P.P 100000326 March, 2017 AMIDA (Action for More Independence & Dignity in Accommodation) is a disability advocacy group that works on housing issues. This means we speak up for people with a disability or help them to speak up for themselves about problems they have with their housing. Congratulations to Jane – Jane Rosengrave, recipient of the Tony Fitzgerald Memorial Award, at the Australian Human Rights Awards for 2016 The ‘Tony Fitzgerald Memorial Community Award – Individual’ is awarded to a person with a track record in promoting and advancing human rights in the Australian community on a not-for-profit basis. Jane is a proud Yorta Yorta woman with an intellectual disability. She is a passionate advocate for people with disability. Jane grew up in institutions and has experienced segregation as well as sexual and other violence, including domestic violence. She contributes to several organisations and shares her personal experiences publicly to raise awareness of the abuse and discrimination facing people with disability. The link to the Human Rights Award page is: https://hrawards.humanrights.gov.au/winners To see Jane receive the award look at this link: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fwJ5CIk94LY&feature=youtu.be&t=7402 If you still receive a paper copy, but would prefer to receive your AMIDA NEWS by email, please let us know - 9650 2722 or amida@amida.org.au. Of course, we are very happy to continue to post you the AMIDA NEWS if that is your preference. 2 Raising Our Voices Radio show on 3CR 2nd Wednesday of each month at 6.00 – 6.30pm Raising Our Voices is now podcast - Go to: www.3cr.org.au/raisingourvoices and download Raising Our Voices to your computer. Copies of the radio shows are available from AMIDA on CD or audio tape, website www.amida.org.au AMIDA Planning Day You are invited to the next AMIDA Planning Day which will be held: Tuesday 11th April 10.00 - 2.00 Hayden Raysmith Room, 4th Floor Ross House 247 Flinders Lane, Melbourne Please let us know if you are coming - 9650 2722 or amida@amida.org.au AMIDA work: AMIDA has had a busy 3 months since the New Year. Some of the work we have been doing is: Individual Advocacy - New and ongoing cases Systemic Advocacy - Preparation for DARU conference on Friday 15th September, 2017 and Residential Tenancies Act Review submission Family Advocacy - ongoing cases Self Advocacy Support - ongoing cases and Raising Our Voices radio show AMIDA Website updates DARU Conversations on zero tolerance of abuse - attendance SARU support Employment contracts & job descriptions work Phone information and support Recruitment Staff meetings Melbourne Metro Rail Authority information session - effect on Ross House Submission for funding from DHHS Innovation Fund 2 Committee Meetings and Election of office bearers 3 State government State government State government State government State government State government State government State government State government State government State government announce announceannounceannounceannounceannounce s new $1bn social hounew $1bn social hounew $1bn social hounew $1bn social hounew $1bn social hounew $1bn social hou new $1bn social hounew $1bn social hounew $1bn social hou new $1bn social hou new $1bn social hou new $1bn social hounew $1bn social hounew $1bn social hounew $1bn social housing growth fund that will help sing growth fund that will help sing growth fund that will help sing growth fund that will help sing growth fund that will help sing growth fund that will help sing growth fund that will help sing growth fund that will help sing growth fund that will help sing growth fund that will help sing growth fund that will help sing growth fund that will help sing growth fund that will help sing growth fund that will help sing growth fund that will help sing growth fund that will help sing growth fund that will help sing growth fund that will help sing growth fund that will help sing growth fund that will help sing growth fund that will help sing growth fund that will help sing growth fund that will help sing growth fund that will help sing growth fund that will help sing growth fund that will help sing growth fund that will help homeless in Victoria homeless in Victoria homeless in Victoria homeless in Victoria homeless in Victoria homeless in Victoria homeless in Victoria homeless in Victoria homeless in Victoria homeless in Victoria homeless in Victoria homeless in Victoria homeless in Victoria homeless in Victoria - 23 February, 2017 23 February, 201723 February, 2017 23 February, 201723 February, 201723 February, 2017 23 February, 201723 February, 201723 February, 201723 February, 201723 February, 2017 The Victorian Government will invest $1 The Victorian Government will invest $1 The Victorian Government will invest $1 The Victorian Government will invest $1 The Victorian Government will invest $1 The Victorian Government will invest $1 The Victorian Government will invest $1 The Victorian Government will invest $1 The Victorian Government will invest $1 The Victorian Government will invest $1 The Victorian Government will invest $1 The Victorian Government will invest $1 The Victorian Government will invest $1 The Victorian Government will invest $1 The Victorian Government will invest $1 The Victorian Government will invest $1 The Victorian Government will invest $1 The Victorian Government will invest $1 The Victorian Government will invest $1 billion in a fund to increase the state's social housing stock after accommodation billion in a fund to increase the state's social housing stock after accommodation billion in a fund to increase the state's social housing stock after accommodation billion in a fund to increase the state's social housing stock after accommodation billion in a fund to increase the state's social housing stock after accommodation billion in a fund to increase the state's social housing stock after accommodation billion in a fund to increase the state's social housing stock after accommodation billion in a fund to increase the state's social housing stock after accommodation billion in a fund to increase the state's social housing stock after accommodation billion in a fund to increase the state's social housing stock after accommodation billion in a fund to increase the state's social housing stock after accommodation billion in a fund to increase the state's social housing stock after accommodation billion in a fund to increase the state's social housing stock after accommodation billion in a fund to increase the state's social housing stock after accommodation billion in a fund to increase the state's social housing stock after accommodation billion in a fund to increase the state's social housing stock after accommodation billion in a fund to increase the state's social housing stock after accommodation billion in a fund to increase the state's social housing stock after accommodation billion in a fund to increase the state's social housing stock after accommodation billion in a fund to increase the state's social housing stock after accommodation billion in a fund to increase the state's social housing stock after accommodation billion in a fund to increase the state's social housing stock after accommodation billion in a fund to increase the state's social housing stock after accommodation billion in a fund to increase the state's social housing stock after accommodation billion in a fund to increase the state's social housing stock after accommodation billion in a fund to increase the state's social housing stock after accommodation billion in a fund to increase the state's social housing stock after accommodation billion in a fund to increase the state's social housing stock after accommodation billion in a fund to increase the state's social housing stock after accommodation billion in a fund to increase the state's social housing stock after accommodation billion in a fund to increase the state's social housing stock after accommodation billion in a fund to increase the state's social housing stock after accommodation billion in a fund to increase the state's social housing stock after accommodation billion in a fund to increase the state's social housing stock after accommodation billion in a fund to increase the state's social housing stock after accommodation billion in a fund to increase the state's social housing stock after accommodation billion in a fund to increase the state's social housing stock after accommodation billion in a fund to increase the state's social housing stock after accommodation billion in a fund to increase the state's social housing stock after accommodation billion in a fund to increase the state's social housing stock after accommodation billion in a fund to increase the state's social housing stock after accommodation billion in a fund to increase the state's social housing stock after accommodation billion in a fund to increase the state's social housing stock after accommodation billion in a fund to increase the state's social housing stock after accommodation billion in a fund to increase the state's social housing stock after accommodation billion in a fund to increase the state's social housing stock after accommodation billion in a fund to increase the state's social housing stock after accommodation billion in a fund to increase the state's social housing stock after accommodation billion in a fund to increase the state's social housing stock after accommodation waiting list blew out to more than 33,000 people.waiting list blew out to more than 33,000 people. waiting list blew out to more than 33,000 people. waiting list blew out to more than 33,000 people. waiting list blew out to more than 33,000 people.waiting list blew out to more than 33,000 people.waiting list blew out to more than 33,000 people.waiting list blew out to more than 33,000 people. waiting list blew out to more than 33,000 people.waiting list blew out to more than 33,000 people. waiting list blew out to more than 33,000 people.waiting list blew out to more than 33,000 people.waiting list blew out to more than 33,000 people.waiting list blew out to more than 33,000 people.waiting list blew out to more than 33,000 people.waiting list blew out to more than 33,000 people. waiting list blew out to more than 33,000 people.waiting list blew out to more than 33,000 people.waiting list blew out to more than 33,000 people. waiting list blew out to more than 33,000 people. waiting list blew out to more than 33,000 people. waiting list blew out to more than 33,000 people.waiting list blew out to more than 33,000 people. waiting list blew out to more than 33,000 people. waiting list blew out to more than 33,000 people. waiting list blew out to more than 33,000 people. Key points: ? More than 33,000 people are on a public housing waiting list ? Fund will be similar to the Commonwealth's Future Fund ? Program will offer low interest loans and loan guarantees to community housing providers Treasurer Tim Pallas said the social housing growth fund would be set up over the next four years and operate similarly to the Commonwealth's Future Fund. Any revenue earned would be used as a funding stream to encourage the private and philanthropic sector to build new social housing and offer subsidised rent to those in need. "It may mean … more concentrated housing in existing areas where development is occurring, with a bonus from the state for those developers who provide social housing as part of their overall housing option," Mr Pallas said. Other measures include a separate fund offering low interest loans and loan guarantees to community housing providers, who sometimes struggle to secure finance from traditional lenders. The management of 4,000 public housing properties will also be transferred to the community housing sector. "This is the biggest single injection in social housing in the state's history. A level of effort unprecedented in this state," Mr Pallas said. Social housing fund 'will save lives' The Victorian Council of Social Service's chief executive Emma King described the package as a "smart and significant investment". "The fund will provide for a pipeline of new social housing long into the future, helping more people find secure, affordable and appropriate housing," she said. "It is a game changer. It will change the lives of everyday Victorians and in some cases, let's be frank, it's going to save lives." AMIDA Comment: Although the injection of funds is a good thing AMIDA’s preference is for public housing which provides disability modifications, and also has lower rent than community housing. We also have concerns as the model used to fund community housing means that some of the housing that is paid for by the government, is rented to people who are not on low income. AMIDA will continue to monitor this situation. 4 March, 2017 The AMIDA office is usually open: Monday 9.30 - 5.00 Tuesday 9.30 – 5.00 Wednesday 9.30 - 5.00 Thursday 9.30 - 5.00 Please phone AMIDA for an appointment: 9650 2722 Email: amida@amida.org.au Web: www.amida.org.au AMIDA, 1st Floor, Ross House, 247 Flinders Lane Melbourne Vic 3000 Phone: 9650 2722 Inc. No. A0016085V Print Post Approved PP 100000326 *Disclaimer: AMIDA does not recommend any product, activity, organisation, service or item – such details are provided within the AMIDA NEWS for general information and interest only. All information contained within is as accurate as possible and is provided in good faith – however it is not guaranteed. AMIDA receives funding from the Commonwealth Department of Social Services, and the Victorian Department of Health & Human Services You can offer any comments you have on AMIDA Policy or Newsletter by phone, email or writing: AMIDA, 247 Flinders Lane, Melbourne Vic 3000 Phone: 9650 2722 Email: amida@amida.org.au Web: www.amida.org.au ABN 32993870380, Inc. No. A0016085V March, 2017 SURFACE MAIL POSTAGE PAID AUSTRALIA