Prevention of Homelessness In CALD Communities

1. Prevention of Homelessness In CALD Communities

2. South Eastern Growth Corridor Significant influx of migrants and refugees 95% renters in Casey qualify for rent assistance Developed CALD Network of 89 mainstream and ethno-specific organisations meeting monthly Prevention of homelessness identified as key issue Agreed that we couldn’t provide housing but give advice, referral and support through the network Background

3. Community education and mentoring based on previous projects (eg. family violence, building capacity of CALD dads) Strong support/working relationships with Centrelink, the Sheriff’s Office, Consumer Affairs and specialist services - represented on the CALD Network.  Access to large number of community members through The CALD Network Significant commitment and support for this method from the CALD network Rationale

4. CALD Network – homelessness working party and workplan 2 Community Forums – 250 and 170 attendees Capacity building – Community education Education sessions for specific groups Afghani Turkish Chinese Vietnamese Spanish Mothers group members across range of nationalities About the project

5. Education Sessions Funded in part by Lord Mayors Charitable Fund

7. Family violence – legal frameworks and consequences (not judgemental just facts) Support available to families at risk Role of men in the family Financial management and advice Barriers associated with accessing mainstream services Credit problems and how to deal with them In future - rental and mortgage default Content

8. Funded in part by RE Ross Trust

9. Personalised approach and one to one time with government reps to discuss their specific circumstances Centrelink presenters were pivotal in unravelling complex questions and provided one to one connection. They supplied contact details and encouraged attendees to call them with any renting, leasing or financial assistance enquiries. Police and Sherriff’s Office – demystified roles (eg fines) Topics driven by community members/leaders Consumer Affairs, Centrelink, Police and others learnt about each others roles Project Strengths

10. Under the banner of the CALD Network, we have engaged over 1,000 CALD community members and leaders (including 21 as mentors) representing 12 ethnic groups in community education sessions (Consumer Credit, FV and Homelessness) over a 2 year period A further 300 this year (renter’s rights and mortgage default) Knowledge increased by 100% in all groups in regard to rights, legal responsibilities and supports available Outcomes

11. Is it useful/appropriate to address two discrete yet linked topics ‘homelessness’ and ‘family violence’ within a single forum? Will a better informed community avoid crisis and/or seek help early? Religious leaders said they were often asked for help and did not have the skills or information – should we target this group rather than go directly to community? Community members still very confused about service system – how to make this clearer? Is this a cost effective intervention? Questions going forward

12. THANK YOU FOR LISTENING!