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The importance of Homelessness Week

John GelavisSponsored
Master Builders Executive Director John Gelavis.
Camera IconMaster Builders Executive Director John Gelavis. Credit: Credit: The West Australian

Homelessness Week is coming up in the first week of August.

In Australia, there are more than 116,000 people experiencing homelessness on any given night. Homelessness Week aims to raise awareness of the impact of homelessness on Australia via national and local community events, including providing information on the importance of housing as a solution and educating communities on how they can make a difference.

Homelessness Australia uses the Australian Bureau of Statistics’ definition of homelessness – when a person does not have suitable accommodation alternatives they are considered homeless if their current living arrangement:

• is in a dwelling that is inadequate

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• has no tenure, or if their initial tenure is short and not extendable

• does not allow them to have control of, and access to, space for social relations.

People who are experiencing homelessness are usually staying in improvised dwellings, tents or sleeping out. If they have a proper roof over their heads, it’s generally with someone else’s household, a boarding house, other temporary lodging or a severely overcrowded dwelling.

There are challenges and complex issues around homelessness. Homelessness is not a linear issue that can be solved overnight, it is multi-tiered. The State Government is doing all they can and investing heavily.

In addition to the $884 million committed in the 2021-22 State Budget, Premier Mark McGowan announced additional $408 million housing and homelessness measures in the 2022-23 State Budget to build safe, strong and fair communities. This has taken the total amount invested to $1.3 billion over the past two years.

The investment is headlined by a new $350 million Remote Communities Fund, which will support improved water, power and municipal services, and increase housing availability in remote Aboriginal communities.

These efforts must be supported, as highlighted by Shelter WA, which says, “having a place to call home is a basic human right. Housing unlocks opportunity, enhances health and wellbeing, provides access to educational and employment options. It enables people to fully participate in community life”.

Master Builders Association of Western Australia (MBA WA) is committed to assisting the State Government in its ongoing social housing construction program and supporting Western Australians who need it the most. The Department of Communities has just released an expression of interest to establish a new statewide builders panel to design and/or construct its significant residential new build and major refurbishment program over the next few years.

MBA WA is supporting Shelter WA throughout Homelessness Week.

To get involved in Homelessness Week, you can help raise awareness by sharing your stories, thoughts, ideas and concerns about homelessness and housing on social media.

For more information, visit www.homelessnessaustralia.org.au/homelessness-week-1-7-august-2022.

If you would like to become a MBA WA member, speak to our membership team on 9476 9800 or email membership@mbawa.com to receive the latest industry news.

Q&A with MBA Housing and Construction Director Jason Robertson

The Question

I am having a timber fence constructed on my property and was wondering whether to use screws or nails. I was told by one mate to use nails and another said to use screws.

Can you help?

The Answer

It is fair, and best, to say both nails and screws are excellent timber fasteners when they are correctly sized and installed properly.

There are several considerations but, in many cases, you can use either a nail or a screw for a strong and, importantly, lasting connection. The right choice often comes down to the type and dimensions of the timber being fastened together and even the tools being used, for example hardwood or softwood.

When deciding between nails or screws, it is worth noting that nails are generally considered less brittle, so they provide greater shear strength. What this means is that nails may bend under pressure but they seldom snap.

Screws, on the other hand, are often considered as having greater tensile strength.

Regarding timber fencing, one thing to note is screws will usually ensure easier rework if you ever need to replace a damaged picket, for example.

But, ultimately, you can use both nails and screws on a timber fence.

The bottom line is that choosing the best fastener, whether it be a nail or screw, comes down to selecting the right-sized fastener for the job at hand, and then using the most appropriate tool for driving and securing it into the timber.

CONTACT Master Builders WA, 9476 9800, www.mbawa.com

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