VIC Homeless Charter - NFP Duty of Care
31 July 2006 at 1:07 pm
In Victoria, the rights of an estimated 30,000 homeless people in Victoria will be protected by a new charter that will eventually form part of accreditation standards for government funded Not for Profit welfare agencies.
It proposes a broad list of rights and responsibilities for homeless people when dealing with support agencies including the right to assistance in a crisis and the right to be free from discrimination.
The Victorian Government says it has produced the charter after the idea was suggested by people who had been homeless and Victoria¡¦s welfare agencies.
Housing Minister, Candy Broad met with representatives from community housing and homelessness support agencies to launch the new Consumer Charter and Guidelines: Your rights and responsibilities explained.
The charter establishes rights and responsibilities for people using community-managed homelessness assistance or social housing services funded through the Department of Human Services.
The rights and responsibilities include:
– The right to assistance during a crisis or to prevent a crisis;
– The right to be considered for accommodation and housing based on fair policies;
– The right to receive help finding and staying in suitable housing on a long-term basis;
– The responsibility to respect the rights of others to feel safe;
– The right to be free from discrimination;
– The right to respect for your culture;
– The responsibility to respect the cultural backgrounds and privacy of others
– The right to respect, dignity and privacy;
– The responsibility to treat others with respect and dignity;
– The right to participate in the decision making process of organisations;
– The right to help applying for income support, employment and health services; educational opportunities and other support services, and
– The right to make a complaint or appeal a decision you do not agree with and receive an answer that makes sense to you.
The charter will apply to more than 300 funded Victorian social support and housing agencies.
The Minister says the aim is for people to clearly understand what to expect and what the duty of care is for those providing these services.
Not for Profits across the state will be sent information booklets and wallet cards.
