Interlink Newsletter

Interlink Housing & Support Association Incorporated Our organisations Open Day will be held 1.00pm, Thursday 30th August, 2007. Everyone is welcome to attend. Volume 1,Issue 1

Office Hours Monday to Friday 9.00am to 5.00pm Interlink Housing & Support is currently not funded to provide services around emergency housing.

August 2007

About Us Interlink Housing & Support has a rich history of service to the Logan, Beenleigh and Beaudesert communities through its operation as the Albert and Logan Community Housing Association & Transitions Youth Accommodation Service. These services have been restructured into the integrated and stronger Interlink Housing & Support Association Incorporated. Interlink is focused on the development of quality service and the establishment of growing partnerships with Government, non government and community sectors to meet local housing and support needs. We employ a range of staff that work in areas such as a Youth Accommodation Support Service, Housing Workers, Administration and Finance, a Community Development Facilitator and a Housing Pathways Worker.

Front cover of the RTA funded Guide to Successful Tenancy Booklet

Interlink is a not for profit service offering housing and support services to the Logan, Beenleigh and Beaudesert communities, that also provides Housing Management Services to the Brisbane Housing Company. Interlink is an incorporated association overseen by a voluntary Management Committee.

Our Mission To assist people to move from crisis to stability through access to effective housing & support. Newsletter Contents • • • • • •

Refugee Tenancy Support Kit Pathways to Create Housing Opportunities Project Youth Accommodation Support Service Future Plans for Interlink Link with us Management & Staff

Contact Details Phone: (07) 3808 2206 Fax: (07) 3808 7164 E-mail: [email protected] Web Address: www.interlink.org.au 8/94 Wembley Road Woodridge Qld. 4114 Postal Address: P.O. Box 33 Woodridge Qld. 4114

Celebrations at the recent Launch of the RTA funded Refugee Tenancy Training Kit These booklets in English and translated into 6 languages are available in PDF Format from our web site at www.interlink.org.au English and translated into Kirundi, Swahili, Somali, Burmese, Farsi and Arabic.

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Refugee Tenancy Support Kit The “Key to your Door” a guide to Successful Tenancy Booklet to assist refugee communities to understand “rental tenancy” The Project Coordinator Sue Boothroyd developed the project so that it would address the needs of migrant & refugee families to assist six emerging culturally and linguistically diverse communities within the Logan and Gold Coast regions. The project was funded by the Residential Tenancies Authority through their Community Education Public Grants Scheme The 64 page booklet was developed in English and translated into Kirundi, Swahili, Somali, Burmese, Farsi and Arabic. A series of workshops and community consultations continues to increase the effectiveness of the booklet.

Project Co-ordinator Sue Boothroyd and community representatives at the project launch held at the Booran Park Neighbourhood Centre

Our Services & Programs As an organsiation, Interlink is continually working to improve the scope of services and linkages offered, through a combination of partnerships with government and complimentary service providers and through the development of service programs. Currently Interlink is able to provide access to:

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Appropriate & affordable housing through the Community Rent Scheme funded by the Queensland Department of Housing

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Housing opportunities & intensive tenancy management for people in need (Migrants & Refugees)

Management of community housing through partnerships with support service providers & affordable housing companies Supported accommodation for young people funded by the Queensland Department of Communities & Department of Housing— this includes outreach support, including living skills development for young people t

Accommodation for people in need, assistance through the private rental market Accommodation for people with special needs and disabilities., including funding by the Queensland Department of Health. User friendly information to assist our clients & tenants to better access the community via our web site e.g. the Refugee Tenancy Kit.

Funded programs work with • Singles, couples and families • Youth & the elderly, • People with disabilities • Drug Court Program • People escaping domestic violence • People from diverse cultural & linguistic backgrounds • Aboriginal & Torres Strait Islander people • People with mental health and intellectual disabilities

Benefits for the Community As a community housing provider, Interlink is keen to participate in partnerships with other community and non-profit organisations, the three levels of government and the private sector, including banking, business and industry to provide housing options which are responsive to the regions needs.

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Pathways to Affordable Housing Opportunities Interlink Housing and Support Association Incorporated has been successful in securing funding for a two year project based within the Logan region to work towards creating pathways for developing affordable and social housing opportunities. Project aim To effectively address the housing needs of the most disadvantaged within the Logan region •

To increase the number of Logan residents supported in their search for an affordable housing

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To help residents maintain their current and future tenancy

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To increase housing and support options available to Logan residents

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To develop stronger commitment with community stakeholders and private providers

Our approach A Community Development Facilitator and an Intensive Tenancy Support Worker has been employed to plan and deliver a multiple approach that will encompass the following tasks: •

Analysis of current housing, existing gaps and emerging critical issues in Logan

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Identification of existing tenancy training and the development of complementary training based on local needs

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Development of training for Interlink’s staff to better support residents in maintaining or applying for a tenancy

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Creation of partnerships and stronger links with the private sector to explore new models that could increase the range and number of low cost housing options

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Addition of services and opportunities for tenants to engage across a wide range of community activities.

Supported Accommodation Program (SAAP) Our goal is to assist young people who are homeless or at risk of homelessness to transition into stable, affordable housing and to achieve the goals which are important to you that will help maintain your independence in the community. If you are between 16 to 21 years of age, having difficulties in your current accommodation and require some assistance in getting where you want to be in life, please give us a call. The services we provide include…….. Support Practical assistance to gain access to income, living skills, employment, study, training and advocacy. Referral to other appropriate services to meet your individual needs and assistance to achieve your goals. Accommodation We provide medium to long term externally supported accommodation for single young people aged between 16 to 21 years of age. We can also provide information about other housing options available to young people Outreach Linking with young people in their environment, visiting schools, other youth services and networking with you in your community. You can make a referral The ways you can access our program includes….. • Call our office on 3808 5378 and speak with one of the Youth Workers • Through your Guidance Office at school • Through other Youth or Community Service providers • A family member of friend can contact us on your behalf • After the initial contact Interlinks Support Staff will do their best to assist you where they can, whether that be in our accommodation or referral to another service.

Expression of Interest to Join our Management Committee We are looking for representatives from community groups and housing related stakeholders to serve on our Management Committee and Affordable Housing Project Steering Group. If you would like further information please contact David Browning on 3808 2206 or 0421 703 382 or [email protected].

Where We Are Located

Introducing the One Social Housing System (This information is provided to assist our tenants awareness of changes to the Housing System in Queensland. Content taken from the Queensland Department of Housing Web Site, A Newsletter for Public Housing Tenants, Tenant News) The Queensland Government is introducing changes to the way that housing assistance is provided. From 1 January 2006, public rental housing, Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander rental housing and community housing, will be provided through one social housing system. Changes will be introduced gradually. The new system has been developed to make it easier for people seeking help and will ensure the assistance offered to them will best meet their circumstances. Seeking help will be easier as there will be just one register of need that covers public rental housing, Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander rental housing and community housing. If a person is eligible for assistance, they will be allocated to the housing assistance that best suits their circumstances. For example, an eligible Indigenous applicant may be housed in Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander rental housing, public rental housing or community housing, depending on which type of housing provides the most appropriate solution to their housing need. If a person is not eligible for housing, they may still be eligible for the department’s other services. For example, the department may provide a Bond Loan to cover costs in setting up a tenancy. does this mean for clients?

The one social housing system will be progressively implemented from 1 January 2006. As at 1 January 2006, the tenancies for people currently housed in public housing or Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Housing will continue. For existing tenants:

waiting lists for housing assistance:

We In terlare in k

People on a waiting list for public rental housing, Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander rental housing, or community housing as at 1 January 2006, will notice changes that will be introduced gradually throughout the year:

here

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The details of people on the waiting list for public rental housing or Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander rental housing will be transferred to the ‘register of need’ and their waiting time will be maintained.

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People waiting for assistance will be reassessed against new eligibility criteria now being developed. This will occur gradually after 1 January 2006. Tenancy agreements signed from 1 January 2006 will be reviewed every four or ten years, depending on your circumstances.

Our Values To be client focused, sensitive to client needs and achieving the best outcomes for individuals To apply social justice principles, including respect, dignity and equity to all people. Flexibility to maximise our ability to respond to the needs of clients and the community

Our Goal “To respond to the needs of local residents in obtaining and maintaining stable housing”

Management & Staff Staff Manager: Jenny Schultz Financial Administrator: Fiona Larkin Senior Youth Worker: Jenni Fawcett Youth Worker: Krystal Telford Housing Worker: Joan Maguire Housing Worker: Natasha Burns Housing Worker : Nicki Smith Housing Worker: Lauren Richards Housing Worker: Fleur Sheppard Housing Worker: Jeremi Heri Housing Operations Manager: Anne Siakisini Client Services Manager: Sylvia Vallender Financial Support: Yvonne Mitchell Reception Admin: Cassie Marshall & Peter Kloeckel Housing Pathways Worker: Sue Sproates Community Development Worker: David Browning

Linking Communities through Housing & Support”

www.interlink.org.au

Management Committee President: Brett Davies Vice President: Vacant Treasurer: Vacant Secretary: Timothy Stanko Committee Member: Peter Attwood Committee Member: Frankie Buchanan Committee Member: Malcolm Reid Committee Member: Sid Pauga Committee Member: Anne Garrett Committee Member: Venantie Niragira Tennant Representatives: Keira Mcowell Rhiannon Stuart