Inquiry into the provision and regulation of supported accommodation in Queensland
Submission No: 5
Submitted by: Townsville City Council
Publication:
Attachments: See attachment
Submitter Comments:
Ms Lynda Pretty Committee Secretary Community Support and Services Committee Parliament House George Street BRISBANE QLD 4000
Via email — cssc@parliament.qld.gov.au
enquiries@townsville.qld.gov.au
townsville.qld.gov.au
Dear Ms Pretty,
RE: INQUIRY INTO THE PROVISION AND REGULATION OF SUPPORTED ACCOMMODATION IN QUEENSLAND
Thank your for the opportunity to provide a written submission to the Community Support and Services Committee’s inquiry into the provision and regulation of supported accommodation in Queensland.
At the outset, I would like to express my appreciation for the work of the majority of supported accommodation providers in the Townsville local government area, who do a difficult job with a paucity of funding, and are bound by very strict regulations.
I wish to direct my submission mostly at terms of reference 1e and 3.
My firm view is that people with a disability and people escaping family and domestic violence are the most vulnerable in our community and require supported accommodation specifically tailored to and dedicated to their needs.
The wrap-around support services, including ancillary health services, need a secure environment in order to maximise the benefits to those residing in supported accommodation.
For those reasons, I am concerned that a number of people with recent history in the youth justice system are placed alongside these vulnerable peoples.
This practice has led to many in the community resenting the presence of supported accommodation and dubbing all of them as “bail houses”, even if they are not home to anyone with a criminal history.
The impact on those with a genuine need for supported accommodation is twofold.
Firstly, it increases the stigmatisation of those who rely on supported accommodation for their everyday needs.
Secondly, the negative impacts that may be foisted upon those with a genuine need by those with a history in the youth justice system is grossly unfair.
It is for these reasons that I firmly believe that those with a history in the youth justice system should not be placed in supported accommodation alongside people escaping family and domestic violence nor alongside those with a disability.
My view is that young people with a criminal record should be housed with their parents and guardians, or if that is not possible, should be housed with relatives.
Not only will this reduce the stigma of those living in supported accommodation, but will provide a better environment for those with a history in the youth justice system to reintegrate into society without negatively impacting those in genuine need.
Yours sincerely,
redacted: s47F - Personal privacy
Cr Jenny Hill AM Mayor of Townsville
CC:
- Hon. Yvette D’Ath MP, Attorney-General and Minister for Justice and Minister for the Prevention of Domestic and Family Violence (attorney@ministerial.qld.gov.au)
- Hon. Meaghan Scanlon MP, Minister for Housing, Local Government and Planning, and Minister for Public Works (housing@ministerial.qld.gov.au)
- Hon. Mark Ryan MP, Minister for Police and Community Safety (police@ministerial.qld.gov.au)
- Hon. Di Farmer MP, Minister for Education and Minister for Youth Justice (education@ministerial.qld.gov.au)
- Hon. Charis Mullen MP, Minister for Child Safety, Minister for Seniors and Disability Services and Minister for Multicultural Affairs (jordan@parliament.qld.gov.au)