Interlink Housing & Support
Association Incorporated
Our organisations Open Day will be held 1.00pm, Thursday 30th
August, 2007. Everyone is welcome to attend.
Volume 1,Issue 1
Office Hours
Monday to Friday
9.00am to 5.00pm
Interlink Housing & Support is
currently not funded to provide
services around emergency
housing.
Front cover of the RTA
funded Guide to Successful
Tenancy Booklet
Contact Details
Phone:
(07) 3808 2206
Fax:
(07) 3808 7164
E-mail:
info@interlink.org.au
Web Address:
www.interlink.org.au
8/94 Wembley Road
Woodridge Qld. 4114
Postal Address:
P.O. Box 33
Woodridge Qld. 4114
August 2007
About Us
Interlink Housing & Support has a rich history of
service to the Logan, Beenleigh and Beaudesert
communities through its operation as the Albert
and Logan Community Housing Association &
Transitions Youth Accommodation Service.
These services have been restructured into the
integrated and stronger Interlink Housing & Sup-
port Association Incorporated.
Our Mission
Interlink is focused on the development of qual- To assist people to move from crisis to
ity service and the establishment of growing stability through access to effective housing
partnerships with Government, non government & support.
and community sectors to meet local housing
and support needs.
We employ a range of staff that work in areas Newsletter Contents
such as a Youth Accommodation Support Ser-
vice, Housing Workers, Administration and Fi- • Refugee Tenancy Support Kit
nance, a Community Development Facilitator • Pathways to Create Housing
and a Housing Pathways Worker. Opportunities Project
Interlink is a not for profit service offering hous- • Youth Accommodation Support
ing and support services to the Logan, Service
Beenleigh and Beaudesert communities, that • Future Plans for Interlink
also provides Housing Management Services to • Link with us
the Brisbane Housing Company. Interlink is an
• Management & Staff
incorporated association overseen by a volun-
tary Management Committee.
Celebrations at the recent Launch of the RTA funded Refugee Tenancy Training Kit
These booklets in English and translated into 6 languages are available in PDF
Format from our web site at www.interlink.org.au
English and translated into Kirundi, Swahili, Somali, Burmese, Farsi and Arabic.
 PAGE 2 I NT E R LI NK HO U S I NG & S U P P O R T A S S O C I A T I O N I NC O R P O R A T E D V O LU M E 1, I S S U E 1

Refugee Tenancy Support Kit

The “Key to your Door” a guide to Successful
Tenancy Booklet to assist refugee communities
to understand “rental tenancy”

The Project Coordinator Sue Boothroyd devel-

oped the project so that it would address the
needs of migrant & refugee families to assist six
emerging culturally and linguistically diverse
communities within the Logan and Gold Coast
regions.

The project was funded by the Residential Ten-

ancies Authority through their Community Edu-
cation Public Grants Scheme

The 64 page booklet was developed in English

and translated into Kirundi, Swahili, Somali,
Burmese, Farsi and Arabic.

A series of workshops and community consulta-

tions continues to increase the effectiveness of Project Co-ordinator Sue Boothroyd and community representatives
the booklet. at the project launch held at the Booran Park Neighbourhood Centre

Our Services & Programs

As an organsiation, Interlink is continually working to improve the scope of services and linkages offered, through a combination
of partnerships with government and complimentary service providers and through the development of service programs.

Currently Interlink is able to provide access to:

• Appropriate & affordable housing through the Community Rent Scheme funded by the Queensland Department of Housing
• Management of community housing through partnerships with support service providers & affordable housing companies
• Supported accommodation for young people funded by the Queensland Department of Communities & Department of
Housing— this includes outreach support, including living skills development for young people
t

• Housing opportunities & intensive tenancy management for people in need (Migrants & Refugees)
• Accommodation for people in need, assistance through the private rental market
• Accommodation for people with special needs and disabilities., including funding by the Queensland Department of Health.
• User friendly information to assist our clients & tenants to better access the community via our web site e.g. the Refugee
Tenancy Kit.

Funded programs work with Benefits for the Community

• Singles, couples and families As a community housing provider, Inter-
• Youth & the elderly, link is keen to participate in partnerships
with other community and non-profit
• People with disabilities organisations, the three levels of gov-
• Drug Court Program ernment and the private sector, includ-
• People escaping domestic violence ing banking, business and industry to
provide housing options which are re-
• People from diverse cultural & linguistic backgrounds sponsive to the regions needs.
• Aboriginal & Torres Strait Islander people
• People with mental health and intellectual disabilities
V O LU M E 1, I S S U E 1 I NT E R LI NK HO U S I NG & S U P P O R T A S S O C I A T I O N I NC O R P O R A T E D PAGE 3

Pathways to Affordable Housing Opportunities

Interlink Housing and Support Association Incorporated has been successful in securing funding for a two year
project based within the Logan region to work towards creating pathways for developing affordable and social
housing opportunities.

Project aim

To effectively address the housing needs of the most disadvantaged within the Logan region
• To increase the number of Logan residents supported in their search for an affordable housing
• To help residents maintain their current and future tenancy
• To increase housing and support options available to Logan residents
• To develop stronger commitment with community stakeholders and private providers

Our approach

A Community Development Facilitator and an Intensive Tenancy Support Worker has been employed to plan
and deliver a multiple approach that will encompass the following tasks:

• Analysis of current housing, existing gaps and emerging critical issues in Logan
• Identification of existing tenancy training and the development of complementary training based on local needs
• Development of training for Interlink’s staff to better support residents in maintaining or applying for a tenancy
• Creation of partnerships and stronger links with the private sector to explore new models that could increase the
range and number of low cost housing options
• Addition of services and opportunities for tenants to engage across a wide range of community activities.

Supported Accommodation Program (SAAP)

Our goal is to assist young people who are homeless or at risk of homelessness to transition into stable, affordable housing
and to achieve the goals which are important to you that will help maintain your independence in the community.
If you are between 16 to 21 years of age, having difficulties in your current accommodation and require some assistance in
getting where you want to be in life, please give us a call. The services we provide include……..
Support
Practical assistance to gain access to income, living skills, employment, study, training and advocacy. Referral to other appro-
priate services to meet your individual needs and assistance to achieve your goals.
Accommodation
We provide medium to long term externally supported accommodation for single young people aged between 16 to 21 years of
age. We can also provide information about other housing options available to young people
Outreach
Linking with young people in their environment, visiting schools, other youth services and networking with you in your commu-
nity.
You can make a referral
The ways you can access our program includes…..
• Call our office on 3808 5378 and speak with one of the Youth Workers
• Through your Guidance Office at school
• Through other Youth or Community Service providers
• A family member of friend can contact us on your behalf
• After the initial contact Interlinks Support Staff will do their best to assist you
where they can, whether that be in our accommodation or referral to another service.
 Expression of Interest to Join our
Management Committee
We are looking for representatives from
community groups and housing related
stakeholders to serve on our Management
Committee and Affordable Housing Project
Steering Group.
If you would like further information please
contact David Browning on 3808 2206 or 0421
703 382 or development@interlink.org.au.
Where We Are Located
We
Interlare
in k
here
Our Values
To be client focused, sensitive to client needs and
achieving the best outcomes for individuals
To apply social justice principles, including respect,
dignity and equity to all people.
Flexibility to maximise our ability to respond to the
needs of clients and the community
Management & Staff
Staff
Manager: Jenny Schultz
Financial Administrator: Fiona Larkin
Senior Youth Worker: Jenni Fawcett
Youth Worker: Krystal Telford
Housing Worker: Joan Maguire
Housing Worker: Natasha Burns
Housing Worker : Nicki Smith
Housing Worker: Lauren Richards
Housing Worker: Fleur Sheppard
Housing Worker: Jeremi Heri
Housing Operations Manager: Anne Siakisini
Client Services Manager: Sylvia Vallender
Financial Support: Yvonne Mitchell
Reception Admin: Cassie Marshall & Peter Kloeckel
Housing Pathways Worker: Sue Sproates
Community Development Worker: David Browning
Linking Communities through Housing & Support”
www.interlink.org.au
Introducing the One Social Housing System
(This information is provided to assist our tenants awareness of changes to the Housing
System in Queensland. Content taken from the Queensland Department of Housing Web
Site, A Newsletter for Public Housing Tenants, Tenant News)
The Queensland Government is introducing changes to the way that housing assistance is
provided. From 1 January 2006, public rental housing, Aboriginal and Torres Strait Is-
lander rental housing and community housing, will be provided through one social housing
system. Changes will be introduced gradually.
The new system has been developed to make it easier for people seeking help and will
ensure the assistance offered to them will best meet their circumstances. Seeking help will
be easier as there will be just one register of need that covers public rental housing, Abo-
riginal and Torres Strait Islander rental housing and community housing.
If a person is eligible for assistance, they will be allocated to the housing assistance that
best suits their circumstances. For example, an eligible Indigenous applicant may be
housed in Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander rental housing, public rental housing or
community housing, depending on which type of housing provides the most appropriate
solution to their housing need.
If a person is not eligible for housing, they may still be eligible for the department’s other
services. For example, the department may provide a Bond Loan to cover costs in setting
up a tenancy.
does this mean for clients?
The one social housing system will be progressively implemented from 1 January 2006.
For existing tenants:
As at 1 January 2006, the tenancies for people currently housed in public housing or Abo-
riginal and Torres Strait Islander Housing will continue.
waiting lists for housing assistance:
People on a waiting list for public rental housing, Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander
rental housing, or community housing as at 1 January 2006, will notice changes that will be
introduced gradually throughout the year:
• The details of people on the waiting list for public rental housing or Aboriginal and
Torres Strait Islander rental housing will be transferred to the ‘register of need’ and
their waiting time will be maintained.
• People waiting for assistance will be reassessed against new eligibility criteria now
being developed. This will occur gradually after 1 January 2006.
Tenancy agreements signed from 1 January 2006 will be reviewed every four or ten years,
depending on your circumstances.
Our Goal
“To respond to the needs of local residents in
obtaining and maintaining stable housing”
Management Committee
President: Brett Davies
Vice President: Vacant
Treasurer: Vacant
Secretary: Timothy Stanko
Committee Member: Peter Attwood
Committee Member: Frankie Buchanan
Committee Member: Malcolm Reid
Committee Member: Sid Pauga
Committee Member: Anne Garrett
Committee Member: Venantie Niragira
Tennant Representatives:
Keira Mcowell
Rhiannon Stuart