Roseberry Qld has released a joint media statement with The Services Union voicing the issues raised in their recent submission to the National Housing and Homelessness Plan Issues Paper.
JOINT MEDIA STATEMENT
Tuesday, 31 October 2023
Australia is in a housing and homelessness crisis, with frontline service Roseberry Qld and The Services Union both stressing this in their recent submissions to the National Housing and Homelessness Plan Issues Paper.
In August 2023, Housing and Homelessness Minister, Julie Collins MP, released the National Housing and Homelessness Plan issues paper which in turn kick started a consultation period, which has just been finalised.
For over 30 years, Roseberry Qld has assisted young people experiencing difficulty in Gladstone and Rockhampton which General Manager, Michelle Coats said puts them in great stead to help steer a stronger sustainable services pathway.
“Our long experience in running crisis accommodation facilities has provided us with a clear idea of what will result in better outcomes such as the need for a two staff model in order to improve safety and security of both staff and clients,” Ms Coats said.
“We see more presentations to our shelters of clients with significant mental health, trauma and substance use therefore the security of personnel at the shelters as well as clients has become increasingly more important”.
Executive President of The Services Union, Jennifer Thomas agrees there is more needed including consistent government funding and support to ensure the security of the workforce and continuity of critical services such as Roseberry Qld.
“Without government action and funding, services reduce staff or service provision which means many vulnerable Australians will be denied desperately needed housing and homelessness services,” Ms Thomas said.
“Government must recognise the value of professional housing and homelessness workers by funding professional rates of pay, funding that supports safe working models and ensuring indexation of funding keeps pace with increased operational costs.”
Roseberry Qld’s submission also recommended, designing shelters to meet the needs of clients, greater collaboration and cohesion between services and the need for more transitional housing to bridge the gap between crisis accommodation and independent living.
“Not only does there need to be an increase to the rate of rent assistance there really needs to be stand-alone youth homelessness division to take into account the unique factors that impact this cohort,” Ms Coats said.
Media Contacts: General Manager of Roseberry Qld, Michelle Coats – 07 4972 0047
Executive President of The Services Union, Jennifer Thomas – 0417 737 77
