COVID-19 Advocacy in Action
An urgent package of funding and resources, including funding for business continuity activities, support services, housing and accommodation
Actions to date
- An urgent package of funding and resources: Developed and costed a package with sector input
- Established a co-lead group
- Advocacy with National Shelter Network
In progress
- Representation and advocacy through the Department of Communities Homelessness Taskforce, Incident Management Team and Department of Finance Working in Partnership Group
- Advocacy across government
- Media strategy
- Liaison with Industry
- Liaison with Lotterywest
- Input via the Homelessness Taskforce
- Input into the State Accommodation Strategy
- Input via the Homelessness Taskforce and Department of Finance Working in Partnership Group
Results to date
16.03.20 – State – Relief for businesses and households
22.03.20 – Federal – Supporting Australian workers and business
29.03.20 – Federal – $1.1 billion to support more mental health, Medicare and domestic violence services
30.03.20 – Federal – $130 billion JobKeeper payment to keep Australians in a job
30.03.20 – State – Rent relief for small businesses and not-for-profits
30.03.20 – State – Lotterywest $159 million COVID-19 Relief Fund
31.03.20 State – Hotel rooms pilot to protect rough sleepers from COVID-19
31.03.20 State – $1 billion COVID-19 economic and health relief package unveiled
Actions to date
- Liaison with Department of Health and Communities
In progress
- Representation and advocacy through the Communities Taskforce and Incident Management Team
- Set up a sector working group on congregate living.
- Developing cost model for issues:
- Cleaning
- Isolation accommodation
- Access to testing.
Actions to date
- Liaison with HOME (Hear Of My Experience) Group
- Advocacy for people with lived experience on all taskforces
In progress
Results to date
Underway
Actions to date
- Liaison with IMT and Volunteering WA
- Liaison with WALGA
In progress
- Liaison with Volunteering WA
Results to date
Actions to date
- Understood sector need
- Sought advice on access to government contracts
- Ongoing liaison with Department of Health
- Presented case studies to the Department of Finance to illustrate sector need
In progress
- Representation and advocacy through Communities Taskforce, IMT and Department of Finance Working in Partnership Group
- Liaising with finance on opportunities raised by sector for bulk procurement
Actions to date
- Sought advice on access to government contracts
In progress
- Representation and advocacy through Department of Finance Partnership Working Group
Results to date
- Progressing
Actions to date
- Sought advice on access to government contracts
In progress
- Representation and advocacy through Department of Finance Partnership Working Group
Results to date
- Progressing
Actions to date
- Webinar with Dr Andrew Davies and A/Professor Lisa Wood
- Information on Shelter WA website
- Costed package for support
In progress
- Representation and advocacy through the Communities Taskforce for investment for a one stop shop
- Linking with other agencies for expertise – developing and sharing webinars
Results to date
- Progressing
Actions to date
- Liaison with Department of Health and Communities
In progress
- Representation and advocacy through the Communities Taskforce and Incident Management Team
Results to date
- Progressing
Actions to date
- Liaison with Department of Health
In progress
- Representation and advocacy through the Communities Taskforce and Incident Management Team
Results to date
Actions to date
- Advocacy with National Shelter Network
In progress
- Representation and advocacy through the Communities Taskforce and Incident Management Team
Actions to date
- Identified issues with the sector and formalised a request
In progress
Results to date
- Achieved
Actions to date
- Identified issues with the sector and formalised a request
In progress
Results to date
- Achieved
Actions to date
- Identified issues with the sector and formalised a request
In progress
Results to date
- Achieved
Actions to date
- Identified issues with the sector and formalised a request
In progress
Results to date
- Achieved
Actions to date
- Identified issues with the sector and formalised a request
In progress
Results to date
- Achieved
Actions to date
- Advocacy with National Shelter Network
In progress
- Liaison with DMIRS for legislative changes
- Consumer Protection is working on amending tenancy laws to enact a moratorium on evictions in Western Australia
Actions to date
- Work with tenant advocates and community housing providers to develop social media messaging
In progress
- Awareness campaign through social media
Results to date
- Pending
Actions to date
- Advocacy with National Shelter Network
In progress
Actions to date
- Advocacy with other peaks
In progress
Actions to date
- Advocacy with the Registrar
In progress
Results to date
- The Community Housing Registration Office has issued a notice to all registered providers advising that current assessment will be suspended until further notice, to enable providers to focus on responding to the COVID-19 pandemic.
Actions to date
- Advocacy with other peaks
In progress
Actions to date
- Representation and advocacy to the Departments of Finance and Communities with other peaks
In progress
- Ongoing advocacy with other peaks
Results to date
- 31/03 – Department of Finance Funding and Contracting Bulletin Government agencies will contact service providers whose service agreements are due to expire prior to 30 June 2021 to offer variations to extend service agreements until at least that date under current contract conditions. Service providers can continue to negotiate their contract extensions with government agency contract managers.
In progress
- Ongoing advocacy with National Shelter
Actions to date
- Proposals drafted
Results to date
We need your help
This situation is new to all of us and it is changing rapidly. If you have any information that you believe would be worthwhile sharing with the wider community please send it through to shelterwa@shelterwa.org.au for us to place here on the website.
The outbreak of the coronavirus COVID-19 has impacted people in varying ways on an international scale. It is understandable that during times like this, people may be feeling afraid, worried, anxious and overwhelmed by the constantly changing alerts and media coverage regarding the spread of the virus.
Lifeline telephone, text and webchat services will continue as normal throughout the COVID-19 crisis. 13 11 14 www.lifeline.org.au
Questions
If you have any questions in terms of services delivery or continuation that have not been addressed above please send them through to shelterwa@shelterwa.org.au and we will ensure that they are included in the conversations.
