By Mark Lack
SYDNEY — Many youth refuges across New South Wales are facing closure due to inadequate funding from the state Department of Community Services (DCS). While some refuges may reduce hours of operation in an attempt to reduce costs, the Young People's Refuge at Marrickville is likely to be forced to close altogether.
Young People's Refuge provides 24-hour supported accommodation for homeless 13-17 year old girls. If the refuge closes, alternative accommodation is uncertain, because there are virtually no other services that cater specifically for girls.
Youth unemployment in some parts of the state exceeds 30%, and this has placed great pressure on services. At a time when more services are needed, the Greiner government is prepared to remove them from disadvantaged communities.
The financial crises in youth refuges have been worsened by the implementation of the Social and Community Services Award handed down by Justice Glynn of the NSW Industrial Relations Commission on May 15.
It soon became apparent that the existing grant allocations from the Supported Accommodation Assistance Program (SAAP), a "tied" funding program in which the Commonwealth provides funds which must be matched dollar for dollar by state and territory governments, would fall short.
The salary component of the grant is a flat rate that fails to recognise, and therefore provide funds for, night shift, weekend and holiday penalty rates and superannuation, to name a few basic conditions that 90% of the rest of the workforce is entitled to receive.
The department's unwillingness to provide adequate funding to meet minimum award conditions and pay rates is difficult to understand since last year several million unspent dollars remained in DCS's coffers from the SAAP Program.
The expected shortfall at Young People's Refuge is in the vicinity of $60,000 annually.
It is believed that DCS will attempt to hand the service over to a large private church-based organisation which would be prepared to undermine award conditions.
The refuges in the state that provide a 24-hour crisis service, and thus have higher wage costs, will be forced to close, because the funds will be depleted before the next quarterly funding cheque arrives.
Other types of supported accommodation services that provide limited staff support to refuge residents (i.e., during office hours) may be able to remain open slightly longer before the crunch comes.
Of the 130-odd youth refuges in NSW, early calculations indicate the average shortfall to be $35-45,000.
SAAP is a national program that aims to address the problem of homelessness. Most SAAP services are managed by community-based management committees of volunteers who have formed an incorporated body in order to be eligible for grant allocations.
These bodies employ professional youth workers to provide accommodation and counselling services to homeless young people. The young people, along with the refuge workers, are encouraged to be part of decision making in the day to day running of the refuges.
Most management committees have supported the development of an award to cover youth workers and have a strong desire to be responsible employers.
Refuge workers have long awaited an award for their industry. Until now, they have been forced to work 55-60 hours per week and receive pay for only 40 hours. They are used to working at Christmas and New Year at ordinary rates, and not being paid overtime.
The issues for the youth refuges sector are SAAP funding to minimum award conditions and the provision of alternative affordable housing options for young people. n
Mark Lack is a Youth Development Officer based in Bankstown.