Rising homelessness across Australia is overwhelming the capacity of services to offer emergency help. New evidence in the Australian Homelessness Monitor 2024, released today, confirms homelessness has soared well above pre-pandemic levels in most parts of the country. Complementing the report's findings from a survey of local governments, a majority of homelessness services agencies also report "significantly increased" numbers of people seeking assistance over the past 12 months alone. Much of this escalation likely reflects the sheer lack of rental homes available and the extraordinary rent inflation experienced across Australia since 2020. National median advertised rents have jumped 51% since March 2020. Even when adjusted for inflation, the increase is 29%. A welcome increase in government investment in social housing offers the prospect of some limited relief in the next few years. However, as none of the recent spending commitments extends far into the future, and because they generally lack any evidence-based logic, there is a high risk this recovery will prove short-lived. Agencies are feeling the strain Recent market conditions have created a perfect storm for homelessness services agencies. In parallel with the rising need for crisis assistance, there is less scope to help clients into secure housing. Some 76% of services were finding it "much harder" to find suitable housing for clients in mid-2024 than a year earlier. Agency monthly caseloads are up 12% since 2019–20. There's also a big increase in the average time clients receive support: up by 44% in the five years to 2022–23. This has forced agencies to reduce intakes of new clients seeking help. The sector has a backlog, causing agencies to struggle to meet demand. They have been triaging applications for help. This means giving priority to people who are already homeless rather than at risk of homelessness. While justifiable in the circumstances, this damages agencies' ability to...wolfquest 3 download 。

Wright runs for 118 yards and 2 TDs, No. 13 Illinois State gets 1st win over North Dakota, 35-13

Jimmy Carter, the 39th US president, has died at 100

Letters submitted by BDN readers are verified by BDN Opinion Page staff. Send your letters to letters@bangordailynews.com I voted for the Harris-Walz ticket with forlorn hope networking, bipartisan efforts would finally be exerted upon the several severe problems facing our nation since World War II. Instead, we have a man seemingly intent upon rooting out his political enemies. We have a party in power that underwrites his actions, which now controls both the Senate and House. It appears that dissension and divisive political hatreds will now govern, aided and abetted by feeding our people hatreds of the different and the fear of the same. This president seems intent on taking and holding power. After the 2016 election, we had this person in the presidency. He promised a wall to shut off the illegal influx of millions from Mexico — this wall to be paid for by the government of Mexico. Do you see a wall? I do not. Perhaps my vision is impaired. During his tenure, the nation lost 2.7 million jobs , unemployment increased to 6.4 percent , federal debt went up approximately 50 percent, the murder rate was up , we lost 178,000 manufacturing jobs, people without medical insurance increased by 3 million and economic growth went down 2.1 percent in 2020 from the previous year. I think none of this interested the majority that reelected Donald Trump because he deflected rational considerations by an appeal to the hatreds and fears that now govern this majority that apparently would rather have a few more pence in their pockets than face unsolved national problems that cause inflation, deficits and massive amounts of sick and poorer folk. Since we are seemingly governed by the many who appear to eschew learning, I believe we are doomed to repeat our prior history until we achieve third-world status while the privileged few wallow in luxury. I believe this man will preside over the death of the middle class because they have some smattering of education, learning and independence of mind. But, alas, the middle class has been diminishing for the past 25 years. He is merely hurrying it along. Frederick Mendel Sherman

Northern Territory Don't miss out on the headlines from Northern Territory. Followed categories will be added to My News. Darwin company Steeline GRP has emerged as an Australian manufacturing leader with its multimillion-dollar investment in the nation’s longest-reach robot welder, largest aluminium router and a state-of-the art beamline for metal processing and manufacturing. A collaboration between Steeline GRP, Territory-based industrial local robotics and automation company Diverseco and Charles Darwin University , the partnership will have the twin benefits of boosting the NT’s industrial self-reliance and skills base. The purchases were supported by an $800,000 co-investment from the Northern Territory Government’s Advanced Manufacturing Ecosystem Fund. The total investment pool of $3.5m consists of matching the $800,000 co-investment dollar-for-dollar, plus contributing an additional $1.9m through in-kind services, support and labour. Steeline GRP’s Kawasakil Long-reach robotic welding system Steeline’s facility features include advanced automated metal manufacturing technology, including a Kawasakil Long-reach robotic welding system with a 2.1m arm on an 8m track, a 14-axis ART metaltek XB1200 beamline fabrication machine and a true 2.5m x 11m ART Router Machine. In addition to the support from the AMEF, Steeline has further advanced its manufacturing capability by complementing these pieces of equipment with a new 12000kw fibre laser machine, a 40m Ocean Steel Shot Blasting machine and an LVD Turret Punch Press, to enable end-to-end processing capacity. Tony Halikos has invested hundreds-of-thousands in new machinery. The partnership is intended to reduce supply risk for many of the region’s businesses and create a local source of high-quality processed products for critical industries such as defence, energy, gas, mining and construction. Steeline conservatively estimates the project will lead to cumulative revenues of $7.25m and create 10 new jobs within five years across the entire manufacturing value chain including apprentices, truck drivers, other skilled workers, engineers and administrative staff. Four of the forecast new jobs do not currently exist in the NT, bringing a raft of new skills to the Top End. Steeline GRP general manager Tony Halikos said the company was passionate about local manufacturing and processing. “The new in-house advanced manufacturing capabilities we rival or match that of any manufacturer anywhere in Australia or South-East Asia and will complement all industries - defence, energy, gas, mining, maritime and construction, requiring the local capability for projects big or small,” he said. “Based on the advanced capabilities we now have, Steeline GRP is now able to process some of the largest carbon steel, aluminium steel and stainless steel products in sizes currently unable to be handled elsewhere in many parts of Australia. Steeline Darwin “Our overall aim is to ensure that the critical industries in the Northern Territory and Australia have access to world-class capabilities, underpinned by advanced machinery developed by sovereign entities and world class staff. “By doing so, Steeline GRP and the entire Top End manufacturing ecosystem can become more resilient, more prosperous and more capable as a result. “Improving our sovereign capability and capacity to the benefit of our local industry and local manufacturing environment is the driver of the investment.” Dr Jens Goennemann, managing director of the Advanced Manufacturing Growth Centre , said Steeline had shown the benefit of investing in manufacturing. “It creates a ripple effect of increased local business activity,” Dr Goennemann said. “The Territory government’s commitment to advancing its manufacturing ecosystem is yielding results with more mobs created and greater local spending retained within the Territory. “The impact of the investment in this project alone will be significant for the Territory, which has a substantive list of companies looking for local manufacturing and supply of sovereign products such as large pieces of finished structural steel, aluminium plate and even composite panelling, normally bought in from interstate or overseas. “This increased local capability reduces supply chain risks, lowers transport costs, increases efficiencies and cuts lead times.” More Coverage The local business bucking manufacturing trends in the NT Camden Smith NT manufacturer boosted by ‘ecosystem’ funding Camden Smith Originally published as Steeline GRP’s substantial investment in Territory jobs and capacity Join the conversation Add your comment to this story To join the conversation, please log in. Don't have an account? Register Join the conversation, you are commenting as Logout More related stories News Spotted and snapped: Crikey that’s a cute croc A ‘bold and curious’ baby crocodile has been spotted at a Top End fishing spot. See the cute pictures. Read more Northern Territory Cure for range anxiety: AANT brings in roadside EV charging van FREE READ: The Automotive Association of the Northern Territory has introduced a mobile charging van for greater Darwin members who drive an electric vehicle. Here’s how it works. Read more(BPT) - The holidays bring a whirlwind of excitement, sales, and unfortunately also scams. Black Friday, Small Business Saturday, and Cyber Week mean increased online transactions, e-commerce traffic, and a heightened focus on fulfilling customer orders — all of which make small businesses, especially micro-businesses, prime targets for cybercriminals. 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The holiday gift puzzle: Who should get a gift, and what should it be?TEHRAN – Iranian Foreign Ministry spokesperson Esmaeil Baqaei welcomed the International Criminal Court's decision to issue arrest warrants for Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and former War Minister Yoav Gallant. In a Friday night post on X, Baqaei declared, “Fourteen long months into the occupying regime's genocidal campaign in Gaza, marked by the most harrowing atrocities, the ICC Pre-Trial Chamber I finally issued arrest warrants for the two top criminals Netanyahu and Gallant. Of course, their indictment should have included 'genocide' which is manifest.” Baqaei said the warrants were a positive step towards justice. “We welcome any step to serve justice and end the Israeli regime's impunity for genocide, war crimes, and crimes against humanity committed in occupied Palestine and elsewhere,” he stated. He directly attributed the delay in holding Israel accountable to the United States. “Chronic procrastination in holding Israel accountable – mainly due to the US's covert and overt obstructions and bullying – has allowed atrocity crimes to persist in occupied Palestine,” Baqaei added. The spokesperson emphasized the importance of immediate action. “Full and immediate implementation of these arrest warrants will test the effectiveness of the international criminal justice,” Baqaei stated, expressing a cautious optimism while voicing concern that the process could be manipulated. “Hope this late decision would not be manipulated through abuse of process.”

College Football Playoff field set: SMU’s in, Alabama’s out and there could be consequences