Latest news with #SocialServices
CBC
3 days ago
- Health
- CBC
Fredericton addictions outreach van to go 24/7
Federal government funding will allow a Fredericton outreach program to operate around the clock. The goal is to help 30 people a night.
The Guardian
15-07-2025
- Politics
- The Guardian
Morning Mail: Bradley Murdoch dead at 67, warning to Labor over inequality, the $1 housing blueprint
Morning everyone. The notorious outback killer Bradley Murdoch is dead at 67, according to reports. He died in custody 20 years after being found guilty of killing Peter Falconio on a remote highway north of Alice Springs. Ending inequality has always been a tough ask for any government, but new social services minister Tanya Plibersek's own officials have warned that global conflicts and trade disputes are leaving her with an uphill battle. The government sees hope in another policy area however, with figures showing lower take-up of vapes among young people, while New South Wales is planning to give homebuyers heavily discounted architectural aid to speed up the building process. And find out which TV show leads the Emmy nominations. Outback killer dead | Bradley John Murdoch, the man who killed British backpacker Peter Falconio in 2001, has died from throat cancer at the age of 67. The body of Falconio has never been found, and Murdoch always maintained his innocence. Peak vape? | The federal government believes rates of dangerous vaping may be about to decline after years of rapid growth, with new research showing take-up could have peaked among teenagers and high school-age children. 'Political polarisation' | Tanya Plibersek has an uphill battle to justify and prioritise Australia's multibillion-dollar social services system, her department has warned, as global conflicts and trade wars worsen inequalities and 'entrench disadvantage'. Productivity fix | Fixing the nation's broken environment protection laws is the most important reform the Albanese government can pursue to boost productivity, and holds the key to meeting climate and housing targets, according to the former treasury secretary Ken Henry. Lehrmann loss | The former Liberal staffer Bruce Lehrmann has lost an application for an interim restraining order against a Daily Mail journalist he alleges stalked him. Masterchef exit | The Australian-born UK MasterChef presenter, John Torode, will not return to the BBC cooking show after allegations about him using racist language. Maga pushback | The Maga stalwart Marjorie Taylor Greene has criticised Donald Trump over his pledge to send more weapons to Ukraine, although the Ukrainians themselves are still waiting for details about the 'billions of dollars' worth of supplies promised by the US president. Republican lawmakers have moved to block a Democratic effort to force the release of the so-called Epstein files amid an internal battle among US conservatives over the issue beloved of conspiracy theories. Afghan scheme | Thousands of Afghans who helped British forces during the allied occupation of the country have been relocated to the UK under a secret scheme set up after their personal details were revealed by a data leak. 'Moronic mission' | Two men who carried out a 'moronic mission' to fell the Sycamore Gap tree on Hadrian's Wall fuelled by 'no more than drunken stupidity' have been jailed. Exclusive | An Irish tourist was jailed by the US authorities for more than 100 days after overstaying a visit by three days, prompting him to warn that 'nobody is safe' from the country's immigration system. Le travail | France's government has proposed scrapping two public holidays as part of radical measures aimed at reducing the country's ballooning deficit, boosting its economy and preventing it being 'crushed' by debt. When Albanese met Xi Guardian Australia chief political correspondent Tom McIlroy speaks to Nour Haydar about Anthony Albanese's crucial visit to China – and what Donald Trump might think of it all. Sorry your browser does not support audio - but you can download here and listen $ The NSW government is releasing a housing pattern book today which contains eight blueprints for architect-designed homes at a cost of just $1, with council approval expected in no more than 20 days. The idea is to speed up the construction process, Anne Davies reports, and help alleviate cost-of-living pressures. The workplace thriller Severance leads the race for Emmys after amassing 27 nominations for its second series. It will face off for best drama series against Andor, The Diplomat, The Last of Us, Slow Horses, The White Lotus and the first seasons of Paradise and the hospital series The Pitt. The breakout drama Adolescence made an impressive showing with 13 nominations. Sign up to Morning Mail Our Australian morning briefing breaks down the key stories of the day, telling you what's happening and why it matters after newsletter promotion Rugby union | The Wallabies will be hoping that their big back row forwards will help them shock the Lions in the first Test in Brisbane this Saturday, while we think these are the five areas where it could be won or lost. A Lions tour of France could move a step closer next week when executives hold talks in Melbourne before the second Test. Football | Liverpool have rejected an offer from Bayern Munich to sign Luis Díaz for nearly £60m, while Newcastle have made a club record bid of £70m for Hugo Ekitike of Eintracht Frankfurt. Golf | World No 1 Scottie Scheffler has been wondering aloud to the media about golf and life as he prepares for The Open this week, asking 'What is the point?' Lawyers say some families in western Sydney have become 'prisoners in their own homes' because of a spate of drive-by shootings, the Telegraph claims. The city of Melbourne is facing questions about the value of sending the lord mayor and three councillors to Asia at an estimated cost of $81,000, the Herald Sun reports. The board of NAB bank says chief executive, Andrew Irvine, has its backing despite concern about his style among investors, the Australian Financial Review reports. Tasmanian Greens would ditch the state's stadium plan and tax the pokies in order to balance the budget, the Mercury reports. Canberra | Ken Henry, chair of the Australian Climate and Biodiversity Foundation, speaks at the National Press Club at lunchtime. Economy | ABS releases figures on building activity at 11.30am. Tasmania | Party leaders debate ahead of Saturday's state election. Sign up If you would like to receive this Morning Mail update to your email inbox every weekday, sign up here, or finish your day with our Afternoon Update newsletter. You can follow the latest in US politics by signing up for This Week in Trumpland. And finally, here are the Guardian's crosswords to keep you entertained throughout the day. Until tomorrow. Quick crossword Cryptic crossword
CBC
09-07-2025
- Business
- CBC
AISH recipients in community housing will see rent hike under new Alberta regulations
Albertans who receive payments under AISH, or Assured Income for the Severely Handicapped, who live in community housing where rent is set at 30 per cent of income will soon see the amount increase by $220 a month. Changes to the Social Housing Accommodation Regulation, approved by cabinet via orders-in-council in May and June, will result in an AISH recipient who receives $1,901 a month paying $570 in rent. The current amount is $349 a month. The changes take effect Oct. 1 for new tenants or at an existing tenant's next annual rent review. AISH recipients used to have $735 of their monthly amount exempted from the eligible income used to determine rent. An order in council signed on May 15 by Assisted Living and Social Services Minister Jason Nixon removed that exemption. Personal benefits remain exempt. This set of benefits covers expenses such as some of the cost of medical equipment and supplies, special dietary needs and maintenance of wheelchairs and scooters. The changes are meant to "increase fairness" in how rent is assessed. People on government benefit programs like AISH and income support pay about 17 per cent of their income on rent. Nixon was not made available for an interview with CBC News. His press secretary provided a written statement instead. "Under the revised approach, rent for social community housing tenants and housing benefit recipients will be calculated as 30 per cent of total household income, treating household income from employment and assistance programs equally," Amber Edgerton wrote in an email. "This new approach aligns with the 2020 Affordable Housing Review Panel recommendations and creates a clear, standardized approach to rent setting that is fair to all tenants." Housing providers were notified about the change via a June 13 letter from an assistant deputy minister in Nixon's department. Simplifying rent Irene Martin-Lindsay, executive director of the Alberta Seniors and Community Housing Association, said housing providers asked for the change to simplify how the rent is calculated. The current system creates inequities in rent depending on a tenant's circumstances, she said. Someone who is employed or on senior benefits is charged 30 per cent of their income or more depending on the size of the unit. Martin-Lindsay said providers will advocate with the government to ensure people on AISH get the support they need. "We agree with equitable treatment of income in principle, but we don't want to create hardship for anybody because we know that everybody's situation isn't the same," she said. "Do they have other medical costs that can't be covered? Do they have other expenses that are over and above? Housing is one piece of what you need to live on." Groups that advocate for people with disabilities say they hadn't heard about the changes until they were contacted by CBC News. Doug Manderville, president of the board of directors for Voice of Albertans with Disabilities, was once on AISH after becoming quadriplegic in his early twenties. He is upset the Alberta government will not allow AISH recipients to keep the $200 Canada Disability Benefit, making it an outlier among the provinces. Manderville says the rent increases will add more financial strain. "People with disabilities struggle enough, whether it be physically or mentally," Manderville said. "Struggle every single day, just getting up in the morning, just having proper services, proper care, proper housing, food on the table and now they have to worry about this … it's not fair." The government is taking additional measures to determine rent and rental subsidies. The Canada Child Benefit and Alberta Child and Family Benefit will be included as income for setting rent for people who receive rent supplements starting Jan. 1, 2027. The same benefits will be considered eligible income when determining rent in community housing at the start of 2028, which will result in rent supplements decreasing and rents increasing for this set of renters. Civida, a social housing provider in Edmonton, said 16 per cent of their tenants have AISH as their primary source of income. In a written statement, the organization said it plans to implement the changes.
Cambrian News
07-07-2025
- Business
- Cambrian News
Powys council records £5.3m surplus on budget
The huge turnaround that has been seen in the finances, according to a report, is down to the Welsh Government awarding the council £2m on 24 March that lessens the impact of 'spending pressures' in several parts of the council including, Additional Learning Needs (ALN), Homelessness, Social Services and the Highways service.
Yahoo
30-06-2025
- General
- Yahoo
Multi-million dollar housing complex in Watson Lake, Yukon, still vacant months after it was built
It's been a few months since a 10-unit housing complex was built in Watson Lake, Yukon, and according to officials it's still sitting vacant. The $13-million building is located at 807 Lakeview Avenue was built as part of the Yukon government's "Housing First" initiative which aims to provide permanent, low-barrier housing for people at risk of homelessness. It was completed in March. However, the territory says it's had trouble finding anyone to operate the facility. "We did go through a number of procurement processes looking for an operator and no one has yet come forward," said Anne Aram, director of homelessness and housing services with the territory's Department of Health and Social Services. In a 2023 news release, the government said that the Watson Lake Housing First complex would be operated by the Department of Health and Social Services and other key partners once complete. Aram said now that the building is finally completed another community needs assessment is necessary to fully understand how exactly the building might best be used in the community. "If indeed the community is determining we want a building with 24/7 oversight, an operator would then have to have a significant staff team and some experience in operating 24/7 facilities," Aram said. "If indeed this is not determined to not need a 24/7 oversight and we're looking at other supports, that will be determined when we have those conversations." The 8,628-square-foot building has two barrier-free bachelor units, six regular bachelor units, and two one-bedroom units. Building features include a reception area, a separate programming space, a multi-purpose room with a full kitchen, and barrier-free public/staff washrooms. As of this month, 21 people have applied for a unit in the complex and are currently on the wait list. Aram said the Yukon Government is working with the Town of Watson Lake and the Liard First Nation on the next steps forward. In the meantime, the building will remain vacant until a plan, or an operator, is secured. Chris Irvin is the former mayor of Watson Lake, and was part of the planning process when the project first began. He said he's frustrated to see that the building is still vacant. "How can you spend this kind of money ... just to have it sit empty?" Irvin said. "I understand staffing is hard, just like it is anywhere in the Yukon, but you have to get creative. Figure out a way that this is going to suit us and work with the community." Irvin said community members have tossed around the idea of the complex being used as the town's "much-needed' extended care facility. "It's built in the perfect location close to downtown," he explained to CBC News. "It's a rancher style. It's got staff accommodations. It's accessible by ambulance. It's accessible by seniors. It would be perfect."
