Barwon Homelessness Network Update – 1 April 2020

Homelessness Agencies are considered essential services and are continuing to deliver services to people who are homeless or at risk of homelessness. The moratorium on evictions is a positive news and the emphasis on property owners to be considering adjustments to rents for tenants impacted by COVID-19. Agencies in your region are struggling to meet the current requests for service and this is only going to increase as the impacts of COVID-19 continue to have an impact financially, socially and psychologically.

You can follow updates on the Barwon & South West Homelessness Network Facebook page

Barwon Homelessness Network Update – 1 April 2020

News:

ABC News- 30^th March- Federal Government offers $130b in coronavirus wage subsidies for businesses to pay workers
The Age- 26^th March- Rough sleepers moved off street as homelessness tipped to spike
PRObono News-23^rd March- Lobbying in the age of COVID-19
PRObono News- 25^th March- ‘You can’t self-isolate on the street’
PRObono News- 23^rd March- Government unveils stimulus support for charities
ABC News- 25^th March- Proposed rental law changes to shield tenants during coronavirus crisis welcomed
ABC News- 29^th March- Family violence perpetrators using COVID-19 as a ‘form of abuse we have not experienced before’
The Standard-25^th March-South west family violence service is operating to protect victim- survivors amid coronavirus
The Guardian- 23^rd March- Am I eligible for Centrelink payments? How to apply for the coronavirus supplement
ABC News- 24^th March- Coronavirus pandemic could see house prices plummet by 20 per cent, economists warn
The Conversation-23^rd March- Why housing evictions must be suspended to defend us against coronavirus
ABC News- 24^th March- Renters desperate for relief as 1 million jobs set to disappear due to coronavirus

Training/Events/Resources:

Vic Parks COVID-19 response: permitted operations includes (f) a person who requires emergency accommodation, including in relation to family violence and other vulnerable groups.
FEED Geelong– Where can I get emergency food in Geelong (last updated 31^st March-see attachment)
Tenants Victoria- Residential Tenancies Update
VCOSS- 2020 Victorian budget submission- A State of Wellbeing
Consumer Affairs Victoria- Changes to the Residential Tenancies Act resources for community organistions
SHS training calendar for Semester One (postponed delivery until after May)
Consumer Affairs Victoria- the rental laws are changing
The Specialist Homelessness Sector Transition Plan Hub update on progress
COVID-19 health advice https://www.dhhs.vic.gov.au/coronavirus
VCOSS- COVID-19 Plan for the Victorian Community Services sector V1 at 25^th March (see attached)
Economic Justice Australia- 30^th March- Claiming Centrelink during COVID-19 factsheet
Consumer Affairs Victoria- Advice in a disaster information on housing, evictions and tenants in crisis
Health Translations for people from diverse backgrounds
Cash flow assistance for NFP’s

Conferences/Grants/Submissions:

CHIA Vic Conference on May 25^th and 26^th in 2020 (postponed)
The Federal Government Inquiry into Homelessness –submissions due on the 9^th April
The Council to Homeless Persons submission to the Victorian Homelessness Inquiry
AHURI National Homelessness Conference in Canberra on 10-12 August registrations are on hold