Agenda of Homelessness Taskforce Shoalhaven

Homelessness Taskforce Shoalhaven – Thursday 09 February 2023

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Membership

Clr Findley - Chairperson

All Councillors

Chief Executive Officer or Nominee

Penni Wildi – Waminda

Mitchell Bagou – St Vincent De Paul

Cathy Campbell – Southern Cross Housing

Donna Corbyn – Bay & Basin Community Resources

Patricia David – Unions Shoalhaven

Peter Dover – Salt Ministries

Erin Gliddon - Services Australia - South Coast NSW

Bernard Gleeson – St Vincent De Paul Welfare

Belle Grossetti – Mission Australia

Rohanna Holland – Bay & Basin Community Resources

Emilie Martin - Grand Pacific Health

Maria Mitchell – Ulladulla & Districts Community Resources Centre

Nicole Nicholls – Illawarra Shoalhaven Local Health District

Justine O'Reilly – Shoalcoast Community Legal Centre

Kristy Puckeridge – Southern Youth and Family Services

Nicky Sloane – CI Group

Samantha Stiff – Headspace Nowra

Matthew Sutcliffe – The Salvation Army

Olivia Todhunter – Legal Aid NSW

Libby Topp – Shoalhaven Drug and Alcohol Service

Rheanna Williamson – Primary and Community Care Services

Lindy Meeves – Nowra Community Mental Health Team

Cassie Michaux - Manager Commissioning and Planning, Illawarra Shoalhaven and Southern NSW District

Joanne Grant – AMS Nowra

Anna Bacik – CI Group (Illawarra Forum)

Julie Bugden – Shoalhaven Homelessness Hub

Ruby Hansen-Tarrant – Age Matters

Alice Russack – Yumaro

Liz O’Connell – Mission Australia

Grace Rey – Socks n Jocks

Lucinda Knapp – Aboriginal Legal Service

Michael Sweeney – North Shoalhaven

Julianne Hopkins – North Shoalhaven

Raul Arregui – North Shoalhaven

Stuart Bellingham – South Shoalhaven

Keith Davis – South Shoalhaven

Shirley Taylor – South Shoalhaven

Quorum - 8

Purpose

To provide appropriate and considered strategic advice on homelessness and related issues that can be dealt with at Council level. The Taskforce will work with Council to address issues, develop options and assist with the identification of preferred solutions as part of Council’s decision making process.

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 November 2022

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

Time: 2.00pm

The following members were present:

Mayor Amanda Findley - Chairperson

Clr John Kotlash

Clr Liza Butler (Remotely)

Clr John Wells (Remotely)

Clr Tonia Gray – Joined 2:13pm (Remotely)

Ms Patricia David - Unions Shoalhaven

Ms Ash Hudson – SALT Ministries

Ms Olivia Todhunter – Legal Aid NSW - Joined 2:15pm (Remotely)

Ms Erin Mulally - Shoalcoast Community Legal Centre (Remotely)

Ms Emilie Martin - Grand Pacific Health (Remotely)

Ms Cathy Campbell - Southern Cross Housing (Remotely)

Ms Alice Russack - Yumaro (Remotely)

Ms Lucinda Knapp - Aboriginal Legal Service

Mr Keith Davis (Remotely)

Ms Shirley Taylor

Ms Julianne Hopkins

Mr Raul Arregui (Remotely)

Others present:

Mr Gareth Ward – Member for Kiama (Remotely)

Mr Shane Meijer - Southern Cross Housing (Remotely)

Mr Carey McIntyre – Director - City Futures – Joined 2:18pm

Mr Michael Paine - Manager - Community Connections

Ms Carly McWalters – Lead - Community Capacity Building

Ms Marsha Makary - Community Capacity Builder - Homelessness

The Chairperson opened the meeting with an Acknowledgement of Country.

Apologies / Leave of Absence

Apologies were received from Clr White, Lindy Meeves, Sarah Date and Eric Coulter.

Confirmation of the Minutes

RESOLVED (By consent)

That the Minutes of the Homelessness Taskforce Shoalhaven held on Thursday 1 September 2022 be confirmed.

CARRIED

Declarations of Interest

Nil

Reports

HT22.28 Notification of Council Resolution

HPERM Ref: D22/432232

Recommendation (Item to be determined under delegated authority)

That the Homelessness Taskforce Shoalhaven receive the Notification of Council Resolution – Homelessness Taskforce Shoalhaven Re-establishment report for information.

RESOLVED (By consent)

That the Homelessness Taskforce Shoalhaven receive the Notification of Council Resolution – Homelessness Taskforce Shoalhaven Re-establishment report for information.

CARRIED

HT22.29 Action Table Update Report	HPERM Ref: D22/488409
Mayor Findley updated the Taskforce regarding the Mayors giving box and noted that SALT Ministries, Cullunghutti Preschool, Lyrebird Preschool and Clipper Rd Preschool were recipients of donations from the Mayors giving box.
Recommendation (Item to be determined under delegated authority) That the Shoalhaven Homelessness Taskforce acknowledge the following actions as being complete and remove from the action table: 1. HT22.13 Taskforce Strategic Priorities investigations - Crisis Accommodation / Holiday rentals / Affordable - Social housing / Income support 2. HT22.27 Homeshare Funding Project - Shoalhaven - Letter to Seek Support - Gareth Ward MP
RESOLVED (By consent) That the Shoalhaven Homelessness Taskforce acknowledge the following actions as being complete and remove from the action table: 1. HT22.13 Taskforce Strategic Priorities investigations - Crisis Accommodation / Holiday rentals / Affordable - Social housing / Income support 2. HT22.27 Homeshare Funding Project - Shoalhaven - Letter to Seek Support - Gareth Ward MP CARRIED

HT22.30 Shoalhaven Community Led Plan for Homelessness

HPERM Ref: D22/449544

Recommendation (Item to be determined under delegated authority)

That the Homelessness Taskforce Shoalhaven:

1. Accept the ‘Shoalhaven Community Led Plan for Homelessness’ (The Plan).

2. Commit to regular progress tracking and evaluation of The Plan and agree to include it as a standing agenda item at each meeting.

3. Conduct an annual review of The Plan and include it as a standing agenda item at the last meeting of each calendar year.

4. Commit to a full review and update of The Plan every 5 years.

RESOLVED (By consent)

That the Homelessness Taskforce Shoalhaven:

1. Accept the ‘Shoalhaven Community Led Plan for Homelessness’ (The Plan).

2. Commit to regular progress tracking and evaluation of The Plan and agree to include it as a standing agenda item at each meeting.

3. Conduct an annual review of The Plan and include it as a standing agenda item at the last meeting of each calendar year.

4. Commit to a full review and update of The Plan every 5 years.

CARRIED

HT22.31 Development of Protocols and Guidelines to Assist Shoalhaven City Council Staff to work with People Experiencing Homelessness

HPERM Ref: D22/449519

Recommendation (Item to be determined under delegated authority)

That the Shoalhaven Homelessness Taskforce receive this report for information

RESOLVED (By consent)

That the Shoalhaven Homelessness Taskforce receive this report for information

CARRIED

General Business

HT22.32 Strategic Plan Update - Working Group 3

HPERM Ref: D22/475523

Update on the work of Working Group 3 of the Homelessness Strategic Plan – Advocacy and Lobbying.

Details:

Ms Erin Mulally provided an update on the work undertaken by Working Group 3 since the Homelessness Strategic Planning Day, held on 11 October 2022. Ms Mulally advised that the Working Group is currently advocating for the following:

· More accessible transport options south of Bomaderry and the inclusion of the Opal card system into the transport network.

· A more comprehensive report on the status of social and affordable housing in the Shoalhaven area and the homelessness support systems that need more support or resources.

HT22.33 Presentation - Southern Cross Housing - 2023 Street Count	HPERM Ref: D22/493809
Southern Cross Housing are coordinating the 2023 Street Count on behalf of the NSW State Government and presented an overview of plans for the count. Input was sought from members for the draft list of known street sleeper hotspots.

Mayor Findley thanked the Taskforce and Council staff for a year of hard work and wished them the best for the time ahead. There being no further business, the meeting concluded, the time being 3:03pm.

Mayor Amanda Findley

CHAIRPERSON

Homelessness Taskforce Shoalhaven – Thursday 09 February 2023

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HT23.1 Mayoral Relief Fund For Homelessness Update

HPERM Ref: D22/529251

Department: Community Connections

Approver: Jane Lewis, Director - City Lifestyles

Reason for Report

The reason for this report is to provide the Homelessness Taskforce Shoalhaven with an update on the Mayoral Relief Fund for Homelessness and to seek feedback on the proposed model for distribution of appeal funds.

Recommendation (Item to be determined under delegated authority)

That the Homelessness Taskforce Shoalhaven:

1. Receive this report as an update on the Mayoral Relief Fund Appeal for people ‘Doing It Tough’.

2. Support the allocation of funds as more fully detailed in the report – being:

a) The first $15,000 of the funds raised will be allocated towards the creation of 500 crisis ‘care packs’.

b) Any funds over $15,000 (and up to $40,000) will be distributed evenly to provide crisis/relief support to community members in need.

c) After the first $40,000 of funds raised are allocated, further funds will be available to service providers throughout Shoalhaven via an EOI process for relief/crisis initiatives.

3. Support the nomination of Digby Hughes, Homelessness NSW representative, to be the independent member to sit on the assessment panel for Expressions of Interest for distribution of funds.

4. Acknowledge that the Mayoral Relief Fund Appeal has already commenced and thank Digby Hughes, Peter Dover, and Lesley Labka for participating in the media launch.

5. Endorse that the options provided in this report will be presented to the Mayoral Relief Fund Committee. The Mayoral Relief Committee will have the final endorsement of the proposal for distribution of funds.

6. Request an update report on the outcomes of the Mayoral Relief Fund Appeal following its completion

Options

1. The Homelessness Taskforce Shoalhaven note the report for information and accept the recommendations as written.

Implications: The Homelessness Taskforce Shoalhaven receive the information and support the Mayoral Relief Fund Appeal for homelessness as outlined in the report

2. The Homelessness Taskforce Shoalhaven provide an alternative recommendation

Implications: The Homelessness Taskforce Shoalhaven do not accept the recommendations as written and provide an alternative recommendation.

Background

During the Shoalhaven City Council’s Mayoral Relief Fund meeting on 16 August 2022 the following resolution was made:

That:

1. Council conduct an appeal to support services for the homeless in the Shoalhaven including:

a. Establish an online platform for receiving funds

b. A communications plan

c. Formulating a process for distribution of funds

2. The appeal (in part 1) be raised at the next Homelessness Taskforce Shoalhaven meeting scheduled for 1 September to seek their feedback & thoughts on how this appeal may roll out.

3. A further report to the Mayors Relief Fund be received outlining how the funds will be expended.

At the following Homelessness Taskforce Shoalhaven (HTS) meeting held on 1 September 2022 a resolution was made to endorse the proposal for the Mayors Relief Fund for Homelessness in the Shoalhaven. It was resolved:

That the Homelessness Taskforce:

1. Receive the Mayors Relief Fund for Homelessness in Shoalhaven report for information.

2. Endorse the proposal for the Mayors Relief Fund for Homelessness in the Shoalhaven. This proposal will consist of two components:

a. Conduct a community wide appeal for monetary donations to the Mayoral Relief Fund for Homelessness, and

b. Administer a funding program to provide quick access funding for the Shoalhaven community to support initiatives that assist people who are, or are at risk of, experiencing homelessness.

This report outlines the proposed model for this appeal and seeks feedback from the local service providers and organisational representatives of the HTS for the most suitable way to distribute funds to community.

Following the above resolution an internal council working group was formed that included staff from the mayor’s office, Community Connections Team, Media and Communications, Business Assurance and Risk and Finance Departments. The proposed model for the Mayoral Relief Fund Appeal is outlined below.

Name of appeal

The Thrive Together Fair takes place annually in August, leading up to this, a donations drive is conducted during June and July to collect donations from the community to provide dignity packs for attendees at the Fair. Due to concerns that having consecutive fundraising campaigns may cause compassion fatigue amongst the community the Thrive Together Fair and Dignity Drive will sit within an umbrella campaign referred to as ‘The Year to Thrive Together’.

There will be several elements that sit within The Year to Thrive Together Campaign, including: The Mayoral Relief Fund, donation drive for Thrive Together Fair ‘Care Packs’, call out for stallholders to get involved in the Thrive Together Fair, and the Thrive Together Fair event. Through the Mayoral Relief Fund and Care Pack Donation Drive community and businesses will have the option of providing monetary or goods donations.

Timeframe

The Mayoral Relief Fundraising campaign will begin on 30 January and end on the 27 March 2023

Campaign Promotion

Shoalhaven City Council’s Communication and Media Team will manage the promotion of the fundraising campaign. The campaign will be promoted to community members through a media release, and social media and community radio advertising.

The HTS members are encouraged to share the media release through their website and social media channels. In addition, a letter from the Mayor of Shoalhaven City Council will be directed towards local businesses to encourage monetary and goods donations to the appeal.

Distribution of funds

There are three proposed options for distributing funds to community following closure of the appeal. These will be contingent on the funds raised throughout the appeal and are outlined below:

Funding raised: $15,000 or less:

The first $15,000 of the funds raised will be allocated towards the creation of 500 crisis ‘care packs’ that will be given away to attendees of the Thrive Together Fair 2023 (The Fair). As high attendee numbers are expected at The Fair funds will be used to supplement the goods donations received through the ‘Give Dignity This Winter’ campaign and ensure that 500 dignity packs are available for distribution. Organisers will ensure methods are put in place for equitable distribution of the Care Packs to all attendees.

Funding raised: Between $15,000 to $40,000:

After the first $15,000 of funds raised are allocated for the Thrive Together Fair, any funds over $15,000 (and up to $40,000) will be distributed evenly to provide crisis/relief support to community members in need. Three eligible organisations representing North, Central and South Shoalhaven will be selected through an Expression of Interest (EOI) process to distribute funds according to set criteria. To be eligible to receive funding these organisations must be accessible to a broad cross-section of the community.

Funding Raised: Above $40,000:

After the first $40,000 of funds raised are allocated, further funds will be available to service providers throughout Shoalhaven via an EOI process for relief/crisis initiatives. Services can apply for funding for relief/crisis response initiatives outside of business-as-usual funding/service provision to provide additional support to those in need in community. Individual community members can also request funding through these service providers for relief support.

Funding allocation criteria

It is recommended that funds above $15,000 can be used by service providers to assist community members who request support for any of the following reasons:

· Temporary/emergency accommodation including hotel rooms and showground bookings

· Rental bonds

· Emergency rent payments

· Emergency utility bills

· Grocery or food vouchers

· Assistance for rough sleepers, including tents, bedding, and clothing

· Caravan or car registration or towing

· Medical bills not subsided under Medicare, including non-bulk billing psychiatrist appointments which may be necessary for NDIS assessments.

· Transport costs, including taxi vouchers and petrol vouchers

· Repairs or replacements for essential home or vehicle needs i.e., fridges, ovens, air conditioning, washing machines, blocked drains

· Veterinarian bills

Eligibility

· Funds will be accessible to any individuals residing in the Shoalhaven LGA; many rough sleepers and people staying at Showgrounds cannot prove their residential status so will not be required to provide evidence of residential status or address.

· In addition, bank and/or Centrelink statements will not be required in order to access support as these requirements can be hindrances to people in crisis.

· Service providers are not required to follow their usual processes to determine need. Community who requests financial support that meets the funding allocation criteria are eligible to receive funds. Service providers are responsible for ensuring the funds are spent in a fair and equitable manner

· Individuals and households may access funding more than once, as needed.

Expression of Interest

To distribute funds via options two or three, as outlined above, an EOI will be run for service providers to apply for funding.

The applications will be reviewed by a panel that will include the Mayor of Shoalhaven City Council, a Council staff member from the Community Connections Team, Governance Coordinator, and Digby Hughes from Homelessness NSW as an independent panel member.

This independent panel member - Homelessness NSW, offers specialist knowledge of the local homelessness sector and as they are not eligible to apply for funding, do not have any pecuniary interest in the distribution of funds.

Community Engagement

Feedback has been sought from the Homelessness Taskforce Shoalhaven service provider members and organisational representatives on how local service providers are best able to receive and distribute funding.

Homelessness Taskforce Shoalhaven – Thursday 09 February 2023

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HT23.2 Action Table Report Update 9 February 2023

HPERM Ref: D23/7158

Department: Community Connections

Approver: Jane Lewis, Director - City Lifestyles

Attachments: 1. Homelessness Taskforce Action Table for 09 February 2023 Meeting ⇩

Reason for Report

To provide the Homelessness Taskforce Shoalhaven with a progress report on outstanding actions.

Recommendation (Item to be determined under delegated authority)

That the Homelessness Taskforce Shoalhaven acknowledge the following actions as being complete and remove from the action table:

1. HT22.15 Additional Item - Social / Affordable Housing Funding - advocate to Federal Government - Cooperative housing - Regional Planning

2. HT22.16 Additional Item - Doing it Tough Guide / Access to NSW Register - Airbnb - Report Request

Options

1. Adopt the recommendation as written.

Implications: The Homelessness Taskforce Shoalhaven is updated of actions and recommendations made at previous meetings

2. Request more information.

Implications: The Homelessness Taskforce Shoalhaven request further information

Background

This report is to update the Homelessness Taskforce on outstanding actions from previous meetings.

HT22.15 Additional Item - Social / Affordable Housing Funding - advocate to Federal Government - Cooperative housing - Regional Planning

Part 1 to remain open until letter is complete. Set to be completed by the Homelessness Taskforce Meeting on 9February 2023.

Part 2, 3 and 4 to be closed on the basis that these actions will be placed into consideration under the Affordable Housing Strategy which is in the process of being updated.

HT22.16 Additional Item - Doing it Tough Guide / Access to NSW Register - Airbnb - Report Request

Closed on the basis that NSW Department of Planning has a list of properties for Short Term Rental Accommodation (STRA) that Council has access to for statutory purposes. However, the list is not accessible to the general public.