Minutes of the Homelessness Taskforce Shoalhaven
Meeting Date: Thursday, 9 February 2023
Location: Jervis Bay Rooms, City Administrative Centre, Bridge Road, Nowra
Time: 2:00 pm
The following members were present:
Clr John Kotlash
Clr Evan Christen (Remotely)
Mr Peter Dover - SALT Ministries
Ms Ashley Hudson – SALT Ministries
Ms Patricia David - Unions Shoalhaven – Joined 2:09pm
Capt Matthew Sutcliffe - The Salvation Army (Remotely) – Left 2:55pm
Ms Olivia Todhunter - Legal Aid NSW (Remotely) – Joined 2:04pm
Ms Erin Mulally - Shoalcoast Community Legal Centre (Remotely)
Ms Cathy Campbell - Southern Cross Housing (Remotely) – Joined 2:32pm
Ms Ruby Hansen-Tarrant - Age Matters (Remotely)
Ms Lucinda Knapp - Aboriginal Legal Service (Remotely) – Joined 2:27pm
Ms Elizabeth O’Connell - Mission Australia (Remotely)
Ms Kristy Puckeridge - Southern Youth and Family Services (Remotely) – Joined 2:29pm
Mr Blake Richards - My Best Life
Ms Julianne Hopkins
Mr Raul Arregui (Remotely)
Mr Michael Paine - Manager Community Connections
Others Present:
Mr Gareth Ward – Member for Kiama (Remotely)
Ms Jodi Blair – Safe Waters (Remotely)
Ms Cristine Benson – Services Australia (Remotely)
Mr Tony Briggs - Care South
Mr Gordon Clark - Section Manager - Strategic Planning
Ms Marsha Makary - Community Capacity Builder – Homelessness
Michael Paine – Manager Community Connections – noting the mayor was an apology and therefore absent, assumed the Chair and asked the members present if there were any nominations for the role of Chairperson.
The members present nominated Michael Paine to continue to Chair the meeting. No further nominations were received and Michael Paine was declared to be the acting Chairperson for the remainder of this meeting.
Apologies were received from Clr Amanda Findley, Clr Tonia Gray, Hon Fiona Phillips MP, Ms Kristy Puckeridge, Ms Samantha Stiff, Ms Lindy Meeves, Mr Keith Davis, Ms Anna Bacik and Ms Rohanna Holland.
That the Minutes of the Homelessness Taskforce Shoalhaven held on Tuesday 29 November 2022 be confirmed. |
Nil
HPERM Ref: D22/529251 |
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Michael Paine - Manager Community Connections – advised the Taskforce that Council would like to invite members to assist in the ‘Year of Thriving Together’ Campaign, by being involved in short videos, to be shared via social media and amongst various organisations. Mr Peter Dover volunteered to take part in the production of the videos, along with other volunteers within SALT ministries who have lived experience. |
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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 |
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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 |
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Post Meeting Note: Following this meeting, Council has been advised that Mr Digby Hughes is no longer in his role with Homelessness NSW. As such, Mr Raul Arregui has been nominated to sit on the assessment panel to review Expressions of Interests for the distribution of funds. |
HPERM Ref: D23/7158 |
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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 |
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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 |
The following additional matters were raised in General Business:
· Marsha Makary - Community Capacity Builder Homelessness – advised the Taskforce that Council has received through the NSW Community Development Fund a grant for $52,000 to be put towards the actions of Council’s Strategic Plan for Homelessness.
· Mr Gareth Ward MP advised the Taskforce that he has obtained a grant for almost $50,000 for SALT Ministries, to be used to help with upgrading the Bomaderry Community Centre.
· Ms Cathy Campbell advised the Taskforce that Southern Cross Housing are set to undertake the Rough Sleeper count on 23 February 2023, from 4:00am to 6:00am. Ms Campbell further advised that the data collected will be made available online and sent to the Taskforce.
There being no further business, the meeting concluded, the time being 3:07pm.
Mr Michael Paine
CHAIRPERSON