PolicyWaitlist – Alternative AccommodationSDMS ID Number P2012/0179-057SDMS Title Wait List Alternative Accommodation – Policy – P2012/0179-057Effective From 1 October 2013Applies to Housing Tasmania applicantsCustodian Manager Housing StrategySummary This policy outlines the Waitlist and Alternative Accommodation.Replaces Doc. No. n/aAuthor Area Housing Strategy – Social and Affordable Housing Policy UnitContact Manager, Housing StrategyReview Date January 2017

Policy Purpose This policy outlines Housing Tasmania’s position regarding the status of applicants on the Housing Tasmania wait list when they apply for and are housed within the Social Housing Sector.

Policy Intent The intent of this policy is to ensure clients in need of housing assistance and/or support:

receive a service that is client focussed are responded to in a timely way have access to services that are integrated and

responsive to prevent and reduce episodes of homelessness or repeat episodes of homelessness

are serviced by a skilled and supported workforce have their rights respected are treated equally

At Housing Connect clients may be provided with information on a range of housing assistance options to allow them to make the best decision about securing housing and support based on their needs. Social housing is only one of a suite of options available, and it will not always be the most appropriate option.

Application This policy applies to all applications for housing assistance with Housing Tasmania.

Role of Housing Connect

Housing assistance and support assists to stabilise the lives of clients in need. It also helps clients re-entry into community life, education, and employment.Housing Connect provides integrated housing and support services with the aim of supporting clients to retain their tenancy or improving access to longer term stable housing.One of the overall aims of Housing Connect is to move clients out of crisis accommodation or off the streets into long term stable affordable accommodation as quickly as possible.Housing Connect provides information about available support options based on clients assessed needs. Referrals will be made with consent and followed up to make sure clients receive the support they need.

Housing Assistance Options

At the time of assessment with Housing Connect, clients may be provided with information on a range of housing assistance options to allow them to make the best decision

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about securing housing and support based on their needs, for example:

assistance to rent housing that meets their needs; assistance to purchase housing that meets their

needs; social housing, including public housing and

community housing; help with accommodation in a crisis situation or for a

short term, e.g. a motel until longer term accommodation can be found;

help with the cost of moving; or help to maintain a tenancy.

Client Consent Information sharing between services and professionals is critical in an integrated and responsive approach to preventing and reducing episodes of homelessness and housing crisis for each client. The initial identification of client’s needs focuses on early intervention and appropriate referrals.Although consent to share information is not a pre-requisite for service, in practical terms no service is likely to be willing to accept a referral without any information.

Policy Framework This policy establishes a position regarding clients housed within the new affordable accommodation model, including supported residential facilities and affordable housing organisations, and the ability for clients to apply for or remain on the public housing wait list.

Social Housing Offers

At the time of assessment with Housing Connect, client’s may choose which housing provider they wish to receive offers of housing assistance from. If a client has been offered and has accepted housing from a social housing provider, the client is considered to have their housing need met.They will not remain on the waiting list to receive an offer from another provider.If the accommodation is short term, emergency and/or insecure tenure, (such as emergency accommodation /or transitional accommodation with high support), this will not be considered as having their housing need met under this

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policyFor clients to receive housing assistance with Housing Tasmania, they will need to specifically apply through Housing Connect.Clients who live in an alternative affordable accommodation model, may apply for housing assistance with Housing Connect and will need to meet the eligibility criteria and Housing Assessment System (HAS) processes.

Exception The exception to this policy is where it is determined that a referral to an alternative social housing option may be more suitable to meet the clients current circumstances.An alternative social housing option may be more suitable to the client largely due to a lack of experience with, or capacity to sustain, an independent tenancy either in the short or longer term.Alternative social housing options include supported tenancies and supported residential facilities for this purpose. Where this option is agreed by the client and approved by Housing Tasmania, the application will be suspended by mutual agreement between Housing Tasmania and the client for a period of 3 months. At this stage the client will be asked to cancel their application if the alternative option remains suitable.

Alternative Affordable Accommodation Models

The policy applies to alternative affordable accommodation models that are characterised by the following:

stability of tenure through medium to long term accommodation;

client’s with low support needs (or clients who are linked with and receive appropriate support services, as required); and

a formal agreement with Housing Tasmania to deliver the accommodation model

The models may be delivered by private, community or affordable housing organisations and include supported residential facilities and affordable housing.Therefore, if the accommodation is short term, emergency and or/insecure tenure, such as emergency accommodation or transitional accommodation with high support, this will not be considered as alternative accommodation under this

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policy.

Eligibility Criteria Common client eligibility criteria for alternative affordable accommodation models include:

requirement for medium to long term accommodation;

low support needs or agreed support depending on the target group; and

eligibility consistent with Housing Tasmania’s Eligibility Policy(based on age, income, financial assets, ownership of residential premises/land and proof of identity).

Please note that the outstanding charges aspect of the eligibility criteria does not apply to those applicants seeking accommodation in supported residential facilities or other alternative accommodation models.Additional eligibility criteria may differ between models, this can be discussed with Housing Connect.

Discretion Discretion allows organisations to be more responsive through early intervention/prevention.Discretion may be applied to a client’s application for housing assistance and/or support at the time of assessment with Housing Connect.The area manager with Housing Tasmania has the discretion to make decisions to allocate their vacant property to a client out of order, where a reasonable case has been presented. The decision must be adequately documented on the relevant tenancy file.

Legal Framework This Policy adheres to the Residential Tenancy Act 1997 and the Family Violence Act 2004 where relevant.

Exemptions n/a

Responsibilities/ Delegations

All Housing Operations staff are responsible for ensuring the appropriate application of the policy. Area Managers are responsible for Area management including policy application.

Disclaimer This is a statewide policy and must not be re-interpreted so that subordinate policies exist. Should discrete operational

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differences exist, these should be expressed in the form of an operating procedure or protocol that must be approved at the same level as this policy.

Audit and Compliance

Failure to comply with this policy, without providing a good reason for doing so, may lead to disciplinary action.Compliance with this policy is the responsibility of the Manager Housing Services, through the delegated Area Managers.

Procedures and Forms

Family Violence Procedures Confirmation of Family Violence form Request for security modifications form

Related Policies Referral Policy Consent Policy Housing Connect (overarching) policy

Glossary n/aPolicy Title and Version Waitlist – alternative AccommodationEffective Date 1 October 2013Review Date January 2017Document Number P2012/0179-057Replaces Document Number

n/a

Custodian Housing TasmaniaApproved by Manager Housing Strategy

This Policy may be varied, withdrawn or replaced at any time. Compliance with this directive is mandatory for the Department of Health and Human Services. Please Destroy Printed Copies. The electronic version of this Policy is the approved and current version and is located on the Agency’s intranet. Any printed version is uncontrolled and therefore not current.

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