Page 3472 - Week 09 - Thursday, 21 August 2008
Next page . . . . Previous page . . . . Speeches . . . . Contents . . . . Debates(HTML) . . . . PDF . . . .
outreach support based on need, which steps down over time a client needs are resolved.
The new services demonstrated that crisis support could successfully be provided in a different way to the traditional refuge model and still achieve positive outcomes, especially for children. These strategic successes formed the basis for ongoing service and sector development work undertaken as part of the implementation of the ACT homelessness strategy.
This work, undertaken in partnership with SAP-funded community agencies, sought to consolidate the movement of SAP from being a model-based service approach, to a client-focused and responsive approach working as a system in which the availability of accommodation no longer determined the availability and nature of support available.
Considerable administrative efficiencies and increased coordination were also gained through the amalgamation of a number of crisis and medium-term services. The ACT had a number of stand-alone medium-term services which operated as individual agencies and many of these services were provided by the same agencies which also provided crisis services.
The ACT government amalgamated these services, revising the service models accordingly. Services were able to provide a mix of crisis and long-term accommodation and support services which did not require clients to exit one accommodation service and enter into another as their support requirements diminished.
A key part of an effective crisis response is having established exit points for clients that have moved beyond the initial period of crisis and require a long-term housing option. Housing ACT has worked closely with the sector to streamline and create appropriate exit points into public, community and private rental housing.
To facilitate access to crisis services and as an exit for those no longer in crisis from homelessness services, a transitional housing program was established in 2006-07. The transitional housing program uses vacant housing stock that is awaiting development or is hard to let as a stable platform in which people who have been in crisis can continue to receive support while waiting for their long-term housing option to become available. Properties are available for three to six months. This program also ensures that people who require intensive support to resolve their issues have access to crisis services, while those that have lesser support needs are able to move through the system for public or community housing.
Mr Assistant Speaker, public housing also provides stable and secure housing people can participate in and contribute positively to their community. As Minister for Housing I will continue to implement the ACT government’s reform program to establish a fairer and more responsive public housing system targeted to those most in need.
Housing ACT has continued to achieve the benefits associated with the implementation of the new public rental housing assistance program—PRHAP—
Next page . . . . Previous page . . . . Speeches . . . . Contents . . . . Debates(HTML) . . . . PDF . . . .