Homeless Persons ’ Legal Service “Bringing Human Rights Home”
How did HPLS Happen? a joint project of the ACT Community Legal Centres, Legal Aid ACT and the Aboriginal Legal Service. It is an auspiced service of Welfare Rights & Legal Centre. funding from ACT Government and Commonwealth Government
Our Goal: implementing human rights for the homeless and those at risk of homelessness.
Meaningless Paper? “we will act fairly and reasonably towards you in a consistent and ethical manner.” Source?
Meaningless Paper? “people who are experiencing homelessness have the right of inclusion, rights to dignity, respect, and non discrimination, rights to safety and freedom.” Source?
HPLS lawyers will: implement the Homeless Charter through: advocacy & empowerment recognise how one problem can lead to another!
HPLS will: assist people who are homeless or are at risk of homelessness by providing a free legal service and by helping them to connect with other services.
What is homelessness? “ A person is homeless unless he or she has adequate housing that affords the right to live in security, peace and dignity. ” - United Nations Committee on Economic, Social, Cultural Rights
What is homelessness? includes situations where the person ’ s housing: ｷ damages, or is likely to damage their health; ｷ is unsafe; ｷ fails to provide: o adequate amenities; o the supports that a home normally affords; or ｷ is not affordable.
Type of work HPLS aims to do: No Wrong Door Legal advice Casework Law Reform & Policy High Impact Litigation Client Advocacy
HPLS lawyers will: ｷ help with practical problems ｷ explain complicated legal issues ｷ help negotiate with landlords and lenders ｷ help with housing reviews, tribunals or court hearings ｷ put clients in touch with other organisations that can help too. = work collaboratively!!
High Impact Litigation casework focused on systemic change: ｷ Right to privacy ｷ Right to adequate housing ｷ Freedom of expression ｷ Security of the person ｷ Freedom of association ｷ Right to social security ｷ Right to health ｷ Right to vote ｷ Freedom from discrimination ｷ Freedom form cruel inhumane or degrading treatment or punishment
Client Advocacy HPLS aims to develop the capacity of its clients to become advocates on issues effecting them and other homeless people. HPLS aims to establish a client reference group.
Where is HPLS? HPLS is a service of the Welfare Rights and Legal Centre and its office is located in Civic. HPLS hopes to operate legal clinics at several locations in the ACT and in Queanbeyan at places safe and accessible to the different types clients.
Who will work at HPLS? HPLS aims to staff clinics with a lawyers from a variety of places: HPLS solicitors private law firms acting pro bono Community Legal Centres Legal Aid Aboriginal Legal Service