Suchergebnisse

This paper first considers the impacts on children who have experienced domestic and family violence and consequential homelessness. This is followed by an account of an Australian qualitative research project, Safe from the Start, which was designed to identify and form a register of intervention activities and therapeutic play for affected young children aged up to six. The key finding of this innovative applied research, substantiated by the participatory evaluation, is that effective early intervention with such children can be conducted by non‐specialised workers and parents, given the right training and tools.

The pressing issue of homelessness in Australia is largely caused by a shortage of affordable accommodation. Unexpected results from a study into the experiences of homeless families, however, revealed that many people held the perception that asylum seekers, refugees and migrants are given greater priority by welfare agencies for housing assistance. Analysis of the interview data is used to illustrate how public and political discourses circulating at the time of the interviews may have contributed to these views. The article also discusses the extent to which xenophobia in the Australian community has links with feelings of economic insecurity.

Indigenous Australians are 14 times more likely to become homeless than other Australians, and their homelessness situations are likely to be more severe. This research examined how the changing mix of government and non-government, direct and indirect funding influences the provision of services to Indigenous Australians and its outcomes.

This research project has been designed to provide a national mapping and meta-evaluation of the key features of "safe at home" programs that enhance safety and prevent homelessness for women and their children who have experienced domestic and family violence. The project was undertaken in two phases. The first phase involved the preparation of a state of knowledge paper providing a comprehensive review of the literature and a national mapping of current safe at home programs by jurisdiction, including details of legislation underpinning "safe at home" programs in each jurisdiction. In the second phase, the authors undertook a meta-evaluation of select evidence about Australian safe at home programs and practices. This report presents the results of the meta-evaluation. It concludes with recommendations for future safe at home evaluations, as well as key considerations for "safe at home" responses in terms of core program elements, contexts and circumstances.

Australia's emerging affordable housing industry has considerable potential to expand housing options for lower income households. This study examines the industry's current profile and capacity. For the purposes of this study, the affordable housing industry comprises: Non-government (for-profit and not-for-profit) affordable housing providers, the institutions and individuals that enable, support and regulate their work. Capacity is the ability of the industry to perform its work. Capacity is multidimensional and includes having: the resources to do the work, appropriate organisational and workforce capacities, industry-specific skills, effective networks and political influence. The regulated industry comprises two main types of providers: a group of 40 commercially-oriented entities that raise private finance, procure housing and offer diversified housing services. Most in this group couldaccommodate further expansion and develop their own future capacity; a second group of 283 smaller organisations that mainly provide governmentcontracted tenancy and/or homelessness services. Many have growth potential but lack resources. Capacity-building could be targeted to assist this group. There is also a sizeable group of (both registered and unregistered) Indigenous-run community housing organisations (ICHOs). Limited operating scale, poor viability and recent policy disruptions have left many ICHOs vulnerable. An intentional tailored approach to building scale and capacity among this group is critical to ambitions to 'close the gap' in Indigenous disadvantage. Key gaps in industry infrastructure include the absence of: clear and consistent government and industry leadership; a core industry data set; a financial intermediary to harness private investment. For the industry overall, the main capacity issues identified so far concern: the need for scaled-up and predictable growth opportunities to promote further capacity development and strategic investment; shortcomings in policy-making capacities and regulation.