Tasmania Homelessness Consumer Engagement Strategy Project

Housing Tasmania has engaged Youth Development Australia to develop:

• a rights-based Homelessness Charter, and
• a Homelessness Consumer Engagement Framework that:
  • aims to improve and facilitate opportunities for people who are, or have been, homeless to engage in the service system and express their views about what they need
  • explores options for sustainable consumer engagement activities/mechanisms.

To inform this work, Youth Development Australia will conduct a comprehensive state-wide consultation process across Tasmania, including:

• regional public discussion forums in Hobart, Launceston and Ulverstone, as well as a discussion forum specifically for Aboriginal people
• targeted stakeholder meetings (with Government and non-government organisations, including specialist and mainstream services)
• individual interviews (including with people who are or have been homeless).

This project aims to implement three key actions within The Tasmanian Homelessness Plan 2010-2013: Coming in from the Cold:

• the development of a Homelessness Consumer Engagement Strategy to foster active participation of people who are or who have been homeless
• the development of a Homelessness Consumer Engagement Strategy specific to Aboriginal people
• the development of a Homelessness Charter to raise community awareness about the circumstances of people who are homeless and promote a rights-based approach to homelessness service delivery.

The first round of regional discussion forums on the Homelessness Charter will be held as detailed below:

A regional discussion forum specifically for Aboriginal people will be held:

A Homelessness Charter and Consumer Engagement Strategy Discussion Paper has been developed to inform the consultations.

In addition to attending the regional workshops individuals and organisations can also make direct presentations to the Project Consultants and are encouraged to do so by contacting Brigid Sundborn and making an appointment.

Ph. 03 9386 1500 or email: i...@yda.org.au.

Times for these appointments can be made:

• between 2pm and 5.30pm on Monday 30^th May and
• between 9am and 1pm on Tuesday 31^st May in Hobart.

In Launceston times for individual appointments can be made:

• between 2pm and 5.30pm on Wednesday 1^st June and
• between 9am and 1pm on Thursday 2^nd June.

In Ulverstone appointment can be made:

• between 2pm and 5.30pm on Monday 6^th June and
• between 9am and 1pm on Tuesday 7^th June.

You can contribute your ideas/views in a written submission as well by either:

• emailing it to i...@yda.org.au or
• posting it to Youth Development Australia, P.O. Box 257, Brunswick, Victoria, 3056

All written responses must be submitted by COB 14th June 2011 to be included in the consultation.