Agenda of Homelessness Taskforce Shoalhaven

Homelessness Taskforce Shoalhaven

Meeting Date: Monday, 27 November, 2017

Location: Jervis Bay Rooms, City Administrative Centre, Bridge Road, Nowra

Please note: Council’s Code of Meeting Practice permits the electronic recording and broadcast of the proceedings of meetings of the Council which are open to the public. Your attendance at this meeting is taken as consent to the possibility that your image and/or voice may be recorded and broadcast to the public.

Agenda

1. Apologies

2. Confirmation of Minutes

· Homelessness Taskforce Shoalhaven - 29 August 2017............................................ 1

3. Declarations of Interest

4. Reports

HT17.3........ Rotary Park, South Nowra.............................................................................. 4

HT17.4........ Homelessness Policy..................................................................................... 6

5. General Business

HT17.5........ Frankston Council - Homelessness in Australia

Homelessness Taskforce Shoalhaven – Monday 27 November 2017

Page iii

Membership

Clr Findley - Chairperson

All Councillors

General Manager or Nominee

Tamie Harvie - Community / volunteer – interested in mental health and D&A

Penni Wildi – Community Member / Waminda

Wendy Woodward - Nowra Show Society / community volunteer

Deborah Ferrier – Community volunteer

Lesley Labka - SAHSSI – Shoalhaven Women’s Homeless and DV Service

Wendi Hobbs - Shoalhaven Suicide Prevention and Awareness Network (SSPAN)

Rev Matthew Wilson – Nowra Uniting Church

Patricia David – Unions Shoalhaven

Peter Dover – Salt Ministries

Roslyn Poole - ISLHD – Homelessness Mental Health Program

Ashleigh Hudson - Mobile Response Vehicle coordinator (services for homeless)

Max Zalakos – Nowra Baptist Church

Julie Bugden - Shoalhaven Homelessness Hub

Donna Brotherson – Illawarra Forum

Bernard Gleeson - St Vincent De Paul Nowra

Sharlene Naismith – Legal Aid

Natalie Beckett - HARP Unit – Sexual Health & Blood Borne Infections; and Aboriginal community member

Adam Collison - Southern Cross Community Housing

Quorum - 8

Role of the Taskforce

The role of the Homelessness Taskforce is:-

Provide Council with strategic advice on homelessness and related issues that can be dealt with at a Local Government level.
Work with Council to address issues, develop options and assist with the identification of preferred solutions as part of Council’s decision making process
Advise on the development and application of a Homelessness Strategic Plan
Provide comment on relevant Council policies and strategies
Advocate community views on homelessness issues

Minutes of the Homelessness Taskforce Shoalhaven

Meeting Date: Tuesday, 29 August 2017

Location: Jervis Bay Rooms, City Administrative Centre, Bridge Road, Nowra

Time: 4.03pm

The following members were present:

Mayor Amanda Findley - Chairperson

Clr Joanna Gash

Clr Patricia White

Clr Mark Kitchener

Clr Nina Cheyne

Clr John Levett

Clr Bob Proudfoot

Clr Annette Alldrick

Ms Tamie Harvie

Ms Penni Wildi

Ms Patricia David

Ms Roslyn Poole

Ms Ashleigh Hudson – left 5.25pm

Mr Max Zalakos

Ms Deborah Ferrier

Ms Julie Bugden

Ms Donna Brotherson

Mr Bernard Gleeson

Ms Sharlene Naismith

Ms Natalie Beckett

Mr Adam Collison

Others present:

Phil Costello – Director Planning Environment and Development

Gordon Clark – Strategic Planning Section Manager

Jessica Volkanovski –Strategy North Planner

Garon Irwin – Acting Building and Compliance Section Manager

Alan Blackshaw – Community Development Coordinator

The meeting was opened by an Acknowledgement of Traditional Custodians by the Mayor.

The Mayor provided an explanation of how the meetings would be run and that for all meetings of the Homelessness Taskforce Shoalhaven, that the door would be open to the public.

Apologies / Leave of Absence

An apology was received from Rev. Matthew Wilson, Mr Peter Dover, Ms Wendi Hobbs, Ms Wendy Woodward, Tamie Harvie and Ms Lesley Labka.

Confirmation of the Minutes

Nil

Declarations of Interest

Nil

Presentations

HT17.1 Verbal update - Clr Amanda Findley

HPERM Ref: D17/276188

The committee introduced themselves and provided an update of what they have been doing in the last six months in relation to homelessness and a wish list was created for 2017/18.

The Wish List included:

• Plan and Strategy for dealing with homelessness and any ‘incidents’ that arise

• Adopting the Affordable Housing Strategy to Shoalhaven

• Permanent Shelter for the Shoalhaven

• Education of the community (possibly a forum)

• Building connections between homeless persons and wrap around services

• Permanent but temporary accommodation

• Future of Public Housing – mapping the way forward and advocating for tenants

• Business Involvement

• Plan and Policy for Emergency nights (crisis accommodation)

• Creating policy that works on the ground (Homeless protocol for the showground as an example)

• Improving life outcomes for those who have experienced / are experiencing homelessness

• What Next? – who can help after the Safe Shelter closes?

• Continue to lobbying for the State Government to get on board with the demonstration affordable housing site at Bomaderry

• Knowing who the homeless are (anywhere between 100 – 375 homeless on any given night in the Shoalhaven)

An Ongoing Action Plan for the next 12 months was created. Categories included: Advocacy, Tiny Homes, Permanent Shelter and Continuing Services.

Please see attachment.

Note: Ashleigh Hudson left the meeting, the time being 5.25pm.

Reports

HT17.2 Temporary Housing Solutions as Pathways to Formalised Housing - Tiny Homes & Temporary Emergency Housing	HPERM Ref: D17/275461
In relation to the draft Affordable Housing Strategy currently on exhibition, it is aimed identify practical steps that can be taken, enable sharing of information and also promoting associated matters.
Recommendation (Item to be determined under delegated authority) That the report be received for information and discussion.
RESOLVED (By Consent) That the report be received for information and discussion. CARRIED

There being no further business, the meeting concluded, the time being 5.39pm.

Clr Findley

CHAIRPERSON

Homelessness Taskforce Shoalhaven – Monday 27 November 2017

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HT17.3 Rotary Park, South Nowra

HPERM Ref: D17/355108

Group: Finance Corporate & Community Services Group

Section: Recreation Community & Culture

Purpose / Summary

Update re Homeless Campers at Rotary Park South Nowra

Recommendation (Item to be determined under delegated authority)

That Council accept the update report re Homeless Campers at Rotary Park South Nowra for information

Options

1. Recommendation as stated

Implications: Nil

Background

Council, at the meeting of the 22 November 2016, resolved to apply a ban in respect of casual camping at Nowra Showground in tents with the exception of camping associated with an event. Accordingly, Council staff worked to advise those camped at the showground using tents to relocate by Monday 5 December at 12pm.

Campers who were homeless either left the area or relocated elsewhere in the Shoalhaven.

One person relocated, with their caravan, to Rotary Park at South Nowra. Camping is not permitted at this site. Two other groups of campers located to the site in September and October. This resulted in concerns of an illegitimate camping ground being established at Rotary Park.

Council Rangers have been monitoring the situation and maintained contact with the campers.

Local Services have also been providing support and seeking alternative accommodation for those camped at Rotary Park.

In view of the growing number attracted to Rotary Park, concerns of an illegitimate camping ground being established and campers being provided with support and accommodation offers from service providers campers were provided with notification to vacate the park by 10 November 2017.

Community Engagement

Council staff have maintained contact with campers and with service providers

Policy Implications

Council has observed the Protocol for Homeless People in Public Places throughout this process.

Risk Implications

If campers were permitted to remain there is a high risk of others being attracted to the location and an illegitimate camping ground becoming established.

Homelessness Taskforce Shoalhaven – Monday 27 November 2017

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HT17.4 Homelessness Policy

HPERM Ref: D17/355431

Group: Finance Corporate & Community Services Group

Section: Recreation Community & Culture

Attachments: 1. Homelessness Policy ⇩

Purpose / Summary

Present the draft Homelessness Policy for committee discussion and consideration

Recommendation (Item to be determined under delegated authority)

That

1. Council endorses the Draft Homelessness Policy

2. Place the Draft Homelessness Policy on public exhibition for a period of 28 days

3. If no further submissions are the reveived the policy be adopted and if submissions are received a further report be presented to Council after the public exhibition of the Draft Homelessness Policy

Options

1. Adopt the recommendation

Implications: Provides a policy structure to the responsibility of Council in regards to Homelessness

2. Council not adopt the recommendation

Implications: Council will continue to respond to homelessness with no clear policy direction

Background

Shoalhaven City Council has witnessed an increase in the number of homeless people “sleeping rough” in public places. This has resulted in Council needing to respond to the situation. There have been questions as to what are the responsibilities in regards to Council and Homelessness and what are the responsibilities of other levels of government. This policy clarifies Council responsibilities and provides direction to Council staff in responding to people who are homeless.

The policy seeks to identify Council’s role in addressing homelessness and outline the organisation’s commitment to strategies to address homelessness. In doing so, it recognises that Commonwealth and State government hold the primary responsibility of funding and providing servies to assist those who are homeless or at risk of becoming homeless and that a whole of government approach is required to address homelessness. In this the role of Council is to assist and complement the other tiers of government and the community sector as facilitators of solutions to homelessness and crisis accommodation.

Council’s commitment lies in matters relating to land management and planning; advocacy; building the capacity of the community; partnership and service coordination; the recognition of the rights of all members of the community to use public spaces and to participate in community events, services and consultations.

Community Engagement

The draft policy will be placed on public exhibition for a period of 28 days and a subsequent report furnished to Council outlining any comments and suggestions made during this period.

Financial Implications

There are no additional financial implications.