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Homelessness in rural communities

Homelessness for many is characterised by constant movement between different types of accommodation:  the street, homeless shelter, boarding houses.  Alternatively, it may be from home to a refuge, a family member or a caravan park. Constant movement from one location to another is described as ‘couch surfing’ and is how most  homeless people exist day-after-day,  night-after-night in the rural towns of South Australia.

The research tells us that the experience of homelessness in rural communities can be particularly hard to bear for a number of reasons:

• The shame and humiliation that is felt by many who experience homelessness in a close knit community

 

• Homeless people can be more easily identified and thus seen as different

 

• Homeless people say that in country areas they are more likely to be seen as failing and discriminated against

Some of the ways that ac.care helps:

• We recognise that homelessness is the result of many factors and life experiences.

• We  respect the experience of every homeless person we have contact with and we  understand that there are many challenges on the road to change.

• We work in partnership with our service users, and support them through the ups and downs of life

• In each of our programs, we place a high priority on creating good connections between the person and the community in which they live.

• Early intervention is a key investment in the alleviation of homelessness.  ac.care is a Specialist Homelessness Service Provider with the State Government of South Australia and provides:

• Supported Tenancies - assists individuals and families at risk of eviction from public housing to manage their household finances, property maintenance, linkage with education, employment and counseling services. 

 

• Supported Accommodation - transitional homes managed by ac.care provide individuals and families who are homeless with affordable accommodation while they wait to move into more stable long-term accommodation.

 

• Qualified and experienced staff - help individuals involved in the Supported Tenancies and Accommodation programs to improve their independent living skills, assisting them with financial management, relationships, employment or education opportunities and challenging emotional issues related to substance addiction or abuse.

In addition, ac.care delivers emergency accommodation, basic budgeting education, relationship counselling and linkage with other services appropriate to individual needs.

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ac.care Housing Association

A lack of suitable, affordable accommodation for Supported Accommodation Assistance Program (SAAP) clients leaving SAAP accommodation, led ac.care into creating its own.  A partnership has grown between the S.A. Community Housing Association and ac.care, whereby Anglican Community Care now provides over 80 houses and units across the Riverland, South East and Murraylands.

The primary target group for this housing includes those people exiting SAAP services who require accommodation only.  The properties are of a good standard with affordable rent.

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Emergency Accommodation

Emergency Accommodation is short-term assistance for single adults who are homeless and have no housing options overnight.  The program provides accommodation for eligible clients for up to three nights and is available in the South East only.

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Opening Doors

The Opening Doors Program is a Supported Accommodation program for Aboriginal young people and young adults. The SA Department of Families and Communities fund the program. The program is a partnership between ac.care, South Australian Housing Trust, Aboriginal Housing Authority, Child and Adolescent Mental Health Service, and Riverland Regional Health Service.

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The aim of the partnership is to provide supported accommodation for six to eight Aboriginal youth whose independence is at risk due to mental health issues and other complex needs. It is one of several demonstration programs introduced across South Australia to help address the difficulty that young people with mental illness have finding and maintaining accommodation, but ours is the only one targeting Indigenous young people in particular.

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Supported Accommodation Program

The Supported Accommodation program provides a service to families, single adults and youth aged 16 and above who are homeless or at risk of homelessness. Professional workers provide the best support possible while respecting individuality and diversity.

People who require this service may be homeless or at risk of homelessness due to eviction, poverty, unemployment, substandard or overcrowded accommodation, relationship breakdown or violence.

The program has a number of houses in the Mt Gambier, Millicent and Waikerie areas that are furnished. People who are eligible are housed and provided support to address any identified issues and work towards set goals.  Some of the support provided might include information and referral or increasing skills for independent living.  The housing is considered medium term (up to 12 months) and support is offered to identify suitable long term options, along with building upon skills for living (eg. budgeting), counselling and linking to other services.

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Supported Tenancies Program

This program was set up to assist Housing SA tenants who are at risk of eviction or homelessness.  Their tenancy may be at risk due to non-payment of rent, property damage or neighbourhood disruption.

In order to assist people to overcome their identified issues and maintain a successful tenancy, the program offers counseling, advocacy and practical support to build skills in household management and/or relationships, both within the family and with the wider community.