Agenda of Homelessness Taskforce Shoalhaven

Homelessness Taskforce Shoalhaven – Monday 30 July 2018

Page

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

Homelessness Taskforce Shoalhaven - The Wish List:

· 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)

Minutes of the Homelessness Taskforce Shoalhaven

Meeting Date: Monday, 27 November 2017

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

Time: 4.00pm

The following members were present:

Clr Amanda Findley - Chairperson

Clr Joanna Gash

Clr Patricia White

Clr Nina Cheyne

Clr Annette Alldrick

Clr John Levett

Clr Mark Kitchener

Rev Matthew Wilson – Uniting Church

Mr Peter Dover – SALT Ministries

Ms Patricia David – Unions Shoalhaven

Ms Ashleigh Hudson – Mobile Response Coordinator

Ms Lesley Labka – SAHSSI

Mr Max Zalakos – Nowra Baptist Church

Ms Sharlene Naismith – Legal Aid

Ms Donna Brotherson – Illawarra Forum

Mr Adam Collison – Southern Cross Community Housing

Ms Kelly Green – FACS

Ms Penni Wildi – Community Member/Waminda

Ms Wendi Hobbs - SSPAN

Ms Wendy Woodward – Community/Nowra Show Society

Others present:

Gordon Clarke – Strategic Planning Manager

Alan Blackshaw – Coordinator Community Development

Garon Irwin – Unit Manager Building and Compliance

Jessica Clifford – ABC News

Cathy Musico - Wellways

Lesly Lane

Carmen Fox

Joy Lucke

Apologies / Leave of Absence

Apologies were received from Shane Meijer (FACS) and Julie Bugden

HT17.6 Additional item - Verbal Update

Clr Findley advised the Committee that each member provide a verbal update. The following comments were made:

· Kelly Green – FACS

o In October 2017 the tenders were announced

o Southern Cross Housing was the successful tenderer

o The transition time to transfer the properties to Southern Cross Housing will be October to December 2018

· Adam Collison – SCCH

o Looking into safe shelter options and a proposal to use a property, will update at the next meeting on the progress

· Lesly Labka - SAHSSI

o There are two temporary accommodation services in town and it has been full for 3 years (womens refuge).

o The property that SCCH own/manage has some vacancies

o The people coming into this facility, come in under a temporary arrangement

· Peter Dover - SALT

o Safe shelter wrapped up in September 2017

o We need to be looking for a permanent shelter and we are in discussions with a local Church, if successful want to get a demountable (temporary building) amenities block on the land.

o We are trying to find a place they can go

o This facility will be volunteer run if it gets approved (possibly next 3 weeks), there could be up to 20 people staying there

o We have up to 250 volunteers that want to help in some way.

· Patricia David – Unions Shoalhaven

o Provided a verbal update on Homelessness Statistics which will be distributed with the minutes (Attachment 1)

o A student from Wollongong University conducted research and forwarded her findings. This document will also be available upon request.

· Rev Matthew Wilson – Uniting Church

o After the safe shelter shut down (in day 8) we haven’t had anyone living onsite

o We are investigating to broaden the possibilities and looking at temporary housing/affordable housing with a redevelopment of their property. This is not a short term fix and the lead time is approximately 2-5 years.

· Clr Findley

o Council have perused land options with the RMS

o Also had discussions with the RMS Minister Melinda Pavey. Minister Pavey wasn’t enthusiastic with the site which is approximately 5000sqm

o Council is continuing with investigating affordable housing projects, and will be reported at some time back to Council.

o Have had meetings with Church leaders regarding land at Sussex Inlet for social or affordable housing

o Have had discussions with Correction Services and have advised them that it is not ok for them to release people into the community without forward housing arrangements

o The Ongoing Actions Table will form part of a report to every meeting as part of the Agenda. (Attached)

· Alan Blackshaw –

o Will update the committee as part of the reports in the Agenda.

· Gordon Clarke

o Council have looked at 2 projects over a long term

o The Draft Shoalhaven Affordable Housing Strategy has been on exhibition and we are currently preparing the submissions report to Council, to adopt the strategy.

o Will also be suggesting that Council moves forward with properties in Coomea Street, Bomaderry.

o Council held a workshop with the Property Council of Australia Branch back in October, with the view to looking at a hypothetical design to get the property to the market or an expression of interest for community housing providers.

o Tiny Homes developments – have been pushed further up the line, this is the first time they have been approached

o Council is looking at using the VIC Roads model and a research paper came out last month and waiting to hear back.

o We have written to Fabcot who own a lot of vacant sites along North Street. No response to date.

o The site at Worrigee street, has a contamination issue. We don’t believe its significant enough to not look at the land for Tiny Homes, however the site would need to be concrete with no access to soil.

· Wendi Hobbs

o The following links may be of interest to services:

o Mental Health and Homelessness for young people:

file:///C:/Users/HobbsW/Downloads/youth-mental-health-and-homelessness%20-report-infographic%20(2).pdf

o Link2home:

http://www.housing.nsw.gov.au/help-with-housing/specialist-homelessness-services/find-a-service/link2home

o Homelessness Australia Stats

http://www.homelessnessaustralia.org.au/sites/homelessnessaus/files/2017-07/Homelessness%20in%20Australiav2.pdf

Confirmation of the Minutes

RESOLVED (By Consent)

That the Minutes of the Homelessness Taskforce Shoalhaven held on Tuesday 29 August 2017 be confirmed.

CARRIED

Declarations of Interest

Nil

Reports

HT17.3 Rotary Park, South Nowra

HPERM Ref: D17/355108

Alan Blackshaw addressed the Committee and made the following comments:

· This site is not designed to be a camping area,

· Council had to follow the regulations and ask the people to move on.

· We are not aware where people go when they get moved on.

· Council is trying to be as compassionate as possible

· All staying at Rotary Park had been visited by services and had contact with FACS. All were offered housing. At least one person declined because he didn’t want to pay rent.

· Staff negotiate with the people and service providers.

· The Showground is a short term option for travellers to stay overnight for a fee.

Recommendation (Item to be determined under delegated authority)

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

RESOLVED (By Consent)

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

CARRIED

HT17.4 Homelessness Policy

HPERM Ref: D17/355431

Alan Blackshaw addressed the Committee and made the following comments:

· Council have been operating without a written policy.

· This has been drafted for Council to form a Policy position.

· Council has reserched other Councils that had Homeless Policies and most were urban areas. Shoalhaven is a regional area struggleing to address the Homelessness issue.

· This Policy gives Council enough to operate in homelessness and over a period of time work on a strategy to develop a policy for the future.

Note – remove part 6 in policy.

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

Recommendation (By Consent)

That:

1. Council endorse the Draft Homelessness Policy with the following amendment:

a. Remove part 6

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

CARRIED

General Business

HT17.5 Frankston Council - Homelessness in Australia

HPERM Ref: D17/387514

Alan Blackshaw tabled a letter at the meeting from Frankston Council, addressed the Committee and made the following comments:

· Council received a letter from Frankston Council which was tabled at the meeting

· The letter was seeking Council’s support to lobby the Government and advocate for more funding to address Homelessness.

Recommendation (By Consent)

That Council write to the State Government and Federal Governments to lobby for more funding to address Homelessness.

CARRIED

HT17.7 Additional Item - Orange Sky Laundry

Clr Alldrick addressed the Committee and made the following comments:

· Attended a Conference recently, where a presentation was made from Orange Sky Laundry

· It’s a business that started in Brisbane, operates in various locations and now services Wollongong

· They have just started vans with showers.

· This is a free service to use and funded by donations and run by volunteers.

· The Website is interesting and recommend that people look at it.

It was noted that this service was trialled in Nowra.

HT17.8 Additional Item - Couch Surfing Limbo - WEstjustice Document

Alan Blackshaw advised that a recent document has been produced by WEstjustice (August 2017) with interesting information contained in it.

The Document can be viewed on the WEstjustice website http://www.westjustice.org.au/

HT17.9 Additional Item - Establish Working Group - Homelessness

Peter Dover addressed the meeting and suggested that the Committee form a Working Group to progress the items on the Ongoing Actions Table and will report back to the Committee meetings.

RESOLVED (By Consent)

That:

1. The Homelessness Taskforce Shoalhaven form a Working Group consisting of the following members:

a. Peter Dover

b. Southern Cross Community Housing Representative

c. Patricia David

d. Rev Matthew Wilson

e. Kathy Musico

f. Max Zalakos

g. John Steel

h. And others to be co-opted as required

2. The purpose of the Working Group is to discuss and make progress in relation to the items in the Ongoing Actions Table.

3. FACS agreed to report the Homelessness statistics to the meetings of the Homelessness Taskforce each quarter.

CARRIED

There being no further business, the meeting concluded, the time being 5.08pm.

Clr Findley

CHAIRPERSON

Minutes of the Homelessness Taskforce Shoalhaven

Meeting Date: Thursday, 5 April 2018

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

Time: 4.00pm

The following members were present:

Clr Amanda Findley (Chairperson)

Clr Patricia White

Clr Nina Cheyne

Clr Annette Alldrick

Clr Mark Kitchener

Clr Bob Proudfoot

Ms Lesley Labka – SAHSSI

Ms Wendi Hobbs – SSPAN

Rev. Matthew Wilson – Uniting Church

Ms Patricia David – Unions Shoalhaven

Mr Peter Dover – Salt Ministries

Ms Ashleigh Hudson – Mobile Response Coordinator

Mr Max Zalakos – Nowra Baptist Church

Ms Wendy Woodward – Community / Nowra Show Society

Ms Donna Brotherson – Illawarra Forum

Others present:

Anthony Body – Indigenous Services Manager Southern NSW, Department of Education, Employment, and Workplace Relations

Graham Bradshaw - Director, Network Standards & Services, Asset Standards Authority, Transport for NSW

Lynne Dooly – Waminda

Linda Marquis – Waminda

Kathy Musico – Wellways

Kate – Community Services

Linda Lee – Aboriginal Women’s Service

Jennifer Lee – Emmanuel Ministries Shoalhaven

Lesley Lane – Safe Shelter Shoalhaven

John Steele – Safe Shelter Shoalhaven

John Allison – Department of the Prime Minister and Cabinet – Indigenous Affairs

Melissa Andrews – Community Development Officer

Colin Wood – Section Manager, Building & Compliance

Sara McMahon – Manager, Governance Unit

Jessica Volkanovski – Strategic Planning – Team Coordinator, Strategy North

Apologies / Leave of Absence

Apologies were received from Clr Joanna Gash, Clr John Levett, Penni Wildi, Kelly Green and Sharlene Naismith.

Confirmation of the Minutes

Recommendation

That the Minutes of the Homelessness Taskforce Shoalhaven held on Monday 27 November 2017 be confirmed.

Note: This item was not dealt with. The Minutes of Monday 27 November 2017 will be confirmed at the next meeting.

Declarations of Interest

Nil

GENERAL BUSINESS

Attendees introduced themselves, per the descriptions in the attendance list above.

HT18.1 Presentation - Transport for NSW - Second Life

Anthony Body, Indigenous Services Manager Southern NSW, Department of Education, Employment, and Workplace Relations, and Graham Bradshaw, Director, Network Standards & Services, Asset Standards Authority, Transport for NSW, were welcomed to the meeting to give a presentation on repurposing transport assets as shelters.

Anthony Body has a key role within the Department of the Premier and Cabinet to coordinate agencies across government to work better for communities. The ‘Second Life’ project looks at assets owned by the government, such as trains, buses, and accommodation, seeking better ways to use them, e.g. for social good. Anthony has sent a brief on the project to the Deputy Premier, who has expressed great interest.

He introduced Graham Bradshaw, from Transport for New South Wales (TfNSW). Graham described the background to the Second Life program which includes projects in Armidale, Queanbeyan, ‘Buses to Bourke’, and now Nowra. He noted that some 600 people in Sydney spend each night on the streets. In addition many people are in shelters, camps, hotels, couch surfing, or sleeping in cars. Graham had recently counted 41 people sleeping on the late-night train to Kiama. These homeless communities will continue to grow.

Meanwhile, as the city is booming, the infrastructure spend is also growing, with significant investment in new assets – rail, buses, buildings, and land. Many of the existing assets consequently are being retired. This presents an opportunity to use repurposed transport assets for communities and social support.

The idea of converting disused train carriages into shelters is being considered in Victoria. VicRoads has also set aside vacant land to build demountable homes. TfNSW is looking primarily at converting bus and rail assets into sleeping accommodation, mobile service units (e.g. health), shower buses, and storage. Buses can be retrofitted with four beds each as ‘sleep buses’; the 134 old buses currently available could create 536 beds. Graham projects a further 100 buses will become available over each of the next four years. He has access to 30 buses currently.

He considers it important to find opportunities to work with groups such as this Taskforce and with the community in Shoalhaven. Buses can be provided immediately for conversion and use. Land, however, is the element that needs to be secured, and obtaining DAs will take time. TfNSW can supply the assets but not cover the costs to convert them, and he recommended we find philanthropic assistance. Conversion can be rapid but the other processes require more time, at a minimum 3-4 months.

The meeting discussed several possible sites, including land at the rear of Flinders Lane, and behind the old gasworks. It was stressed that homeless people are a part of our community, and locations should not be too isolated: would they use the facility at Flinders Lane, and how would they get to it? Possibly a further bus could be deployed to transport people into town to feel part of the community.

The buses have the advantage that they can be driven in and out of sites as required. They can become health based, showers, washing machine etc. services on wheels able to go to smaller communities.

The group was reminded that there are just six weeks until winter starts. What can we do here and now, and have we the time and skills in the community to convert a bus over a weekend? As an interim measure, it was suggested that one or two buses could be used over the winter. The use of buses in the short term would help with security issues around vulnerable cohorts such as women and children. A more permanent solution can be developed towards the end of winter, but in the meantime we should secure enough buses for the winter period.

TfNSW are also working with RMS in Wollongong on auditing their excess land. Graham reiterated that TfNSW are not able to provide ongoing funding, only assets. He needs to fill out the proposal for Shoalhaven. Anthony is to talk to the Mayor and to meet again in the next few weeks.

The meeting thanked Anthony Body and Graham Bradshaw for bringing their presentation and sharing their vision.

Anthony Body and Graham Bradshaw left the meeting at 5.00pm.

The remaining meeting participants discussed the presentation in detail. The following points and questions were raised:

· Buses can also be used for daily transport for those who may be sheltered in sites away from the general community.

· How to address the challenge of managing the safety of different cohorts – couples, families etc. A permanent solution will need a need larger site, with multiple buses to keep the different cohorts safe.

· How to solve the issue of obtaining land and gaining DA approval. Planning can require six to 12 months.

· Could buses be considered for the existing homeless community at Nowra Showground? The suggestion should be taken back to the Showground Committee. One difficulty is that the land is currently also functioning as carpark for the hospital.

· Using buses as temporary emergency accommodation raises a potential problem of distance from central services and transport. This can make people more vulnerable if they are isolated in industrial areas. It was noted that there are existing community transport options to specialist services – the problem of distance can be overcome. Central Coast & Gosford Councils have also been working with this issue and we could contact them to find how they overcame these problems.

· There are some similarities to locating Tiny Homes with regard to zoning. Buses may be classed as moveable dwellings.

· Clr Proudfoot advocated choosing a site that will avoid controversy, as we do not wish this to become political. Strategic planners can investigate the zoning and siting options.

· Clr Cheyne suggested looking at Mandalay Avenue community housing; access to one of their blocks might be possible if a tenant is ready to move on. The site is already zoned residential.

· Ulladulla could be another site. Can also consider the North Street Woolworths site.

· Conversion of the buses should include retaining their wheels so they can be driven to proposed sites to see if they will work. The vehicles remain registered, so in the short term they could be parked in a carpark and moved if a problem arises. The vehicles can continue to be registered and driveable, but would have to be signed over to the community organisation who then becomes the owner, with the resultant insurance and registration responsibilities.

· Colin Wood reported he has been looking at several sites behind the scenes. Three had been selected as suitable for accommodation, but there had been no further progress. One which functions as a nexus with a church, e.g. with meals on wheels, is looking positive. He is close to finding a site for this. This needs to be discussed with Gordon Clark and Council’s approval as owner obtained.

· Other models to look at include the farm stay model that uses train carriages converted with facilities, which works well for short-term accommodation, and the KiwiBuild public housing program which aims to build a large number of affordable homes in New Zealand.

· We should look into working with youth employment services re training opportunities.

· It was suggested the project be progressed in two stages: first to operate a temporary solution to get through this winter, then a longer-term sustainable solution to offer to rough sleepers and the chronically homeless. Safe Shelters Shoalhaven need to find a property large enough to run an interim model, or could run a trial with buses that can be moved as needed.

· Clr Proudfoot added that Council can partner not only with philanthropists but with other government partners to convert the buses – for example, Department of Community Services.

· Colin Wood said we should make a commitment to find a place to park the buses, to show the community how we can retrofit a bus, and to find a block of land to site them. We have to be proactive.

HT18.2 Transport for NSW - Second Life - Conversion of Assets

Recommendation (By Consent)

That Council contact the Department of Premier and Cabinet and Transport for NSW to:

1. Express an interest in the Second Life project for the acquisition of transport assets for homeless initiatives.

2. Request an audit of State Government land that may be available within the Shoalhaven.

CARRIED

Clr White left the meeting at 5.15pm.

HT18.3 Shoalhaven Homelessness Hub

It was pointed out that the Homeless Hub statistics do not represent everyone, only those who present at the reporting services. Clr Findley clarified that each service group presents data to each meeting of the Taskforce so that the data sets become part of the minutes. These can then be presented to external stakeholders and contribute to our ‘pester power’. It helps in building picture of day-to-day contacts. It also provides evidence on a quarterly basis for State and Federal representatives as a constant reminder. Do we consider it to be a useful tool?

It was suggested that mining the Census data could provide more accurate homelessness data. The census did account for everyone residing in temporary accommodation, refuges etc. is available from FACS.

Action: Statistics from the Census to be distributed with the minutes.

Kathy Musico said the feedback last year was that people were often unable to get into the shelters. Can we get at least a bus each for males and females to keep people safe at night? There were some 30 to 40 people homeless beyond the 50 available beds.

Clr Alldrick asked whether services are finding that government cuts to programs or services aimed at mental health and domestic violence are affecting numbers of people being seen. Lesley Lakba stressed that we have good services here; she considered that homelessness is due to structural problems such as housing. The structural issues are much broader. For example, difficulties in holding tenancies can be reliant on the number of mental health services available. Arranging health and mental health services that can be safely accessed requires coordinating. Services need to go to the people, not force people to travel to the services.

HT18.4 Homelessness Media Strategy

It was recommended that statistics should ideally be accompanied by cases studies and qualitative data; otherwise they risk having little impact. We need to make it evident to local Members that we are doing as much as possible but cannot provide full services, and we need their help – and that they are also accountable. It will help if we can put a face to the stories and statistics.

Clr Findley proposed collecting people’s stories over the winter period. An independent consultant could be contracted to collect stories on our behalf. Telling the stories of the homeless will require a campaign and media strategy.

Clr Proudfoot noted the churches are continually raising the issue of homelessness in the media. We should harness the power of photographs, and keep beating the drum. We must keep sending the message to politicians to get a response; they eventually have to start listening.

RESOLVED (By Consent)

That

1. The Taskforce continue an ongoing dialogue with the State and Federal members and the local media as well as explaining to the local media the activities of the Homelessness task Force and the plight of the homeless.

2. A small working group be formed to advance a media strategy.

3. Membership of this group to comprise:

a. Melissa Andrews

b. John Steele

c. Ashleigh Hudson

d. Wendy Woodward

e. Peter Dover

f. Kathy Musico

g. Max Zalakos.

CARRIED

.HT18.5 Nowra Neighbourhood Centre - Proposal to Use for Shelter

Regarding practical options for shelters, Clr Cheyne raised the three houses in Bomaderry that Council has purchased for the 50m pool. Clr Findley clarified that these are currently tenanted – but one may be demolished and the site could made available..

The shelter used last year will be reopened but the issues experienced previously need to be addressed. As a last resort the shelters can be operated in a modified version of last year. However, even to go back to that model will require probably six weeks of direction to get it up and running. Hence a decision will be needed by next week.

Clr Findley reported the Nowra Neighbourhood Centre is vacant, and is a possibility. She is working on a motion that it be leased to Salt Ministries. However, the building needs to be checked for utility. It does have doors and multiple rooms, but it would be a shelter rather than a permanent home.

RESOLVED (By Consent)

That the Task Force supports the Nowra Neighbourhood Centre being used for homeless services for the next two years subject to suitability

CARRIED

HT18.6 Outstanding Actions Table

Item 6: Permanent Shelter, FABCOT land: we still need a response.

Action: Clr Findley to follow up with FABCOT in relation to this land.

There were no questions about any items. Questions should be sent by email and Council will direct them to suitable respondents.

There being no further business, the meeting concluded, the time being 6.06pm.

Clr Findley

CHAIRPERSON

Homelessness Taskforce Shoalhaven – Monday 30 July 2018

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HT18.9 Communication Strategy

HPERM Ref: D18/232830

Group: Finance Corporate & Community Services Group

Section: Recreation Community & Culture

Purpose / Summary

This report is seeking members’ endorsement of a Communication Strategy. The Communication Strategy will assist local media to promote activities that are being undertaken by the Homelessness Taskforce. The stories and media articles can also be used to continue ongoing dialogue with State and Federal Members of Parliament about the issues contributing to homelessness in the Shoalhaven.

Recommendation (Item to be determined under delegated authority)

That the Homelessness Taskforce:

1. Receive a presentation on a proposed Communication Strategy at the meeting on 30 July 2018.

2. Endorse the proposed Communication Strategy having received and considered the presentation at the meeting.

Options

1. The Homelessness Taskforce endorse the Communication Strategy.

Implications: The messages promoted by the Taskforce are clear and strategic.

2. The Homelessness Taskforce do not endorse the Communication Strategy and make an alternative recommendation.

Implications: Unknown

Background

At its 7 April 2018 meeting the Homelessness Taskforce resolved to continue an ongoing dialogue with the State and Federal members and the local media as well as explaining to the local media the activities of the Homelessness Taskforce and the plight of the homeless.

A small working party was formed to progress this resolution that includes the following members:

Melissa Andrews

Ashleigh Hudson

Wendy Woodward

Peter Dover

Kathy Musico

Max Zalakos

At its first meeting on 16 May 2018 the working party decided that the group would develop a communication strategy for the Homelessness Taskforce that would:

· Explain the role of the taskforce

· Highlight their achievements

· Explain how they are collaborating

· Mobilise the community to encourage volunteers and donations

· Tell the positive stories of volunteers

· Tell the positive stories of people experiencing homelessness

Jessica Rippon worked with the working party to assist them to develop a communication strategy that would progress these aims. The agreed strategy will be provided to the Taskforce at the meeting for consideration.

The stories and media articles that are produced can be used to continue an ongoing dialogue with State and Federal Members of Parliament and to provide local media with a positive message about the Taskforce’s collaborative approach to tackling issues of homelessness in the Shoalhaven.

Community Engagement

The Communication Strategy will give the Taskforce strategic focus in their community engagement activities.

Policy Implications

The strategy has been developed in line with Council’s Media Guidelines POL06/143 and Communication Strategy.

Risk Implications

The Communication Strategy will help to guide the Taskforce in their engagement with the media, State and Federal Members of Parliament and help to mitigate reputational risk and liabilities associated with members of the taskforce making comments to the media on behalf of the Taskforce without a predetermined strategy for such.

Homelessness Taskforce Shoalhaven – Monday 30 July 2018

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HT18.11 Ongoing Actions Update

HPERM Ref: D18/232268

Group: Finance Corporate & Community Services Group

Section: Recreation Community & Culture

Attachments: 1. Homeless Hub Statistics ⇩

Purpose / Summary

To update the Taskforce on progress made against actions raised at previous meetings.

Recommendation (Item to be determined under delegated authority)

That the Homelessness Taskforce receive this report for information.

Options

1. The Homelessness Taskforce receive this report for information.

Implications: The Taskforce is kept updated about progress towards the completion of identified actions.

2. The Taskforce make an alternative recommendation.

Implications: Unknown.

No.	Added to Action Table	Issue and Allocated Person	Action Comments	Update / Outcome July 2018
1.	August 2017	Advocacy – Clr Findley Pursue Public Housing re -urbanisation / redevelopment plan for places of low density.	Clr Findley to write to Family and Community Services about redevelopment proposals.	Paper and mapping being prepared for submission to Department of Premier and Cabinet to advocate for this.
2.	August 2017	Advocacy – All members Monthly Brief	All services currently working with homelessness to provide a monthly brief to Council to be collated and sent to the Local Members and the relevant Ministers.	Homelessness interagency reviewed their action plan for 2018/19 and included an action to provide good news stories to be shared with the Homelessness taskforce. This will be included in the Homelessness Taskforce Communication Plan
3.	August 2017	Tiny Homes – Cathy Campbell/Gordon Clark Marriot Park / Douglas Street RMS Land – general agreement to pursue for a 4-6 unit Tiny House Project Pursue all three, land options identified in the Council report. Idea to develop a community host for a tiny home – this would need to be done in conjunction with a service provider i.e. Southern Cross Housing	When the outcome of RMS is known, Cllr Proudfoot to lead a doorknock of residents in the area.	No formal response received yet. Related matter, an approach from third party Amoveo, will be reported to the July meeting. Could provide an opportunity to move this forward
4.	August 2017	Permanent Shelter – Cllr Findley Fabcot Land	Cllr Findley to write to FABCOT asking for their contribution to the project through either tiny homes or a space for a permanent shelter.	No formal response from either Fabcot or Stockland. However, Council is pursuing a Planning Proposal to rezone 134 Kinghorn Street, Nowra to enable a permanent shelter.
5.	August 2017	Permanent Shelter – All Members	All members to peruse local real estate and identify possible properties for repurposing / building.	Council building lease issued to SALT to run safe Shelter from 134 Kinghorne Street.
6.	August 2017	Permanent Shelter – Catherine Campbell / Gordon Clark	All churches to be contacted about land holdings to see if there is anything available for use as a permanent shelter. (Uniting and North Nowra City Church a possibility)	Council building lease issued to SALT to run safe Shelter from 134 Kinghorne Street.
7.	August 2017	Continuing Actions – Southern Cross Housing & FACS Update of the Housing Transfer of Department of Housing Project	To provide ongoing updates and progress information	Tenant Engagement activities commenced on 2 July across the Shoalhaven. Joint Home Visits (JHVs) commenced for clients with complex or individual support needs. Visits were conducted jointly by FACS and SCH. 3 drop in sessions for tenants were held during July. Transfer to Southern Cross Housing is on track for 22 October.
8.	August 2017	Continuing Actions – Health Representatives	All Health representatives on the HTS Taskforce to coordinate and plan for addressing the health needs of the homeless. (Perhaps this could also be done in conjunction with SALT as a first responder).	Awaiting update
9.	August 2017	Continuing Actions – Patricia David/Julie Bugden Statistics	Patricia and Julie to form a monthly report to the Mayor in respect to statistics to digest to Politicians.	The Homeless hub saw a total of 430 new clients between July 2018 and June 2018. In the same period the Hub provided service to a total 2358 people. For full figures see attachment 1.
10.	April 2018	Transport for NSW - Second Life Project	Resolved that Council contact the Department and Transport NSW to: 1. Express an interest in the Second Life Project for the acquisition of transport assets for homeless initiatives. 2. Request an audit of State Govt land that may be available within the Shoalhaven.	Point 1 - No real progress as the focus has been on achieving the permanent shelter at 134 Kinghorn Street, Nowra. Point 2 – letter sent requesting an audit of State Government land within Shoalhaven that might be suitable for this purpose. Noted that Council is willing to assist with or participate in the requested audit.
11.	April 2018	Establish Working Party and develop media strategy. Melissa Andrews	1.The Taskforce continue an ongoing dialogue with the State and Federal members and the local media as well as explaining to the local media the activities of the Homelessness Taskforce and the plight of the homeless. 2. A small working group be formed to advance a media strategy. 3. Membership of this group to comprise: a. Melissa Andrews b. John Steele c. Ashleigh Hudson d. Wendy Woodward e. Peter Dover f. Kathy Musico g. Max Zalakos.	Working party established. Communication Strategy developed in consultation with Jessica Rippon (Executive Strategy). To be included as a separate report.

Homelessness Taskforce Shoalhaven – Monday 30 July 2018

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HT18.12 Proposed Memorandum of Understanding - Affordable Housing Opportunities

HPERM Ref: D18/210107

Group: Planning Environment & Development Group

Section: Strategic Planning

Purpose / Summary

Present an approach received by Council to work with the private sector to investigate and deliver on the ground affordable housing opportunities for consideration.

Recommendation (Item to be determined under delegated authority)

That Council:

1. Proceed to enter into a Memorandum of Understanding with Amoveo and Southern Cross Community Housing to pursue a partnership to investigate and deliver affordable housing and emergency accommodation opportunities in Shoalhaven

2. Receive update reports, through the Homelessness Taskforce Shoalhaven, as needed or required.

Options

1. Proceed with the Memorandum of Understanding are as recommended.

Implications: The Shoalhaven Affordable Housing Strategy includes actions to work with others to achieve affordable housing and temporary emergency accommodation options. This approach provides an opportunity to pursue this in partnership with a private business and Southern Cross Community Housing. It may not amount to anything but is worthy of further investigation and work.

2. Not proceed with the Memorandum of Understanding and advise the other parties accordingly.

Implications: An opportunity to realise affordable housing and temporary emergency accommodation options could be missed.

Background

Following the release of the Shoalhaven Affordable Housing Strategy earlier this year, Council was contacted by representatives of an external party called Amoveo to discuss opportunities to deliver on the ground affordable housing options.

Amoveo have subsequently requested that Council and Southern Cross Community Housing consider signing a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with them as a precursor to working together to see what opportunities there are that they can assist with and help realise.

Amoveo are a business that are involved in the construction/supply of prefabricated homeless shelters. They have provided examples of the type of product they deliver. They have suggested that they are keen to be part of the overall homelessness solution in Shoalhaven and have noted in their correspondence that they have a partnership with China Rail Corporation, who have a $500million social fund for these types of projects in Australia.

Essentially the MoU that they have now proposed would see Council and Southern Cross Community Housing work with them to see what opportunities exist to deliver this type of solution in Shoalhaven, potentially involving the use of Government owned land via lease.

If the MoU is pursued it is envisaged that the three parties will commit to be involved as follows:

· Council – help identify suitable land and provide planning support and possibly services to any sites.

· Southern Cross Community Housing – provide ongoing management of any housing or emergency accommodation and seek funding to assist with support services and similar.

· Amoveo – lobby Government for infill blocks identified as suitable for affordable housing or emergency accommodation for use on a leasehold basis. Liaise with the other parties to install homeless accommodation, granny flats and new age boarding houses.

The MoU is not a commitment of funding or other resources but establishes a collaborative approach between the parties to work on potential solutions to homelessness and affordable housing in Shoalhaven.

Through the Taskforce, Council needs to consider whether to commit to the suggested MoU and proceed to work with the other parties. Update reports will be brought back to this Taskforce or Council as needed.

Community Engagement

No direct community engagement is required at present regarding the suggested MoU. However, should the suggested partnership approach deliver potential sites and housing opportunities, the community will need to be separately consulted on these as they potentially arise.

Policy Implications

Council has an adopted Affordable Housing Strategy.

The proposed MoU and partnership approach is consistent with several of the actions identified in the Strategy that seek to utilise Government land that is awaiting future use for temporary affordable housing opportunities.

Any specific policy implications related to any sites that are subsequently identified will need to be separately considered by Council.

Financial Implications

There are currently no direct financial implications at this stage for Council. As noted above the proposed MoU is not a commitment of funding or other resources but a collaborative approach between the parties to work on potential solutions to homelessness and affordable housing in Shoalhaven.Any future direct funding requirements/requests will be separately reported to Council for consideration.

Risk Implications

There are none at this stage, however before the MoU is signed Council will ensure that its contents are reviewed by its Legal Services Manager.