Private Rental Access Program Melton Presenter: Roxana Viojo-Rodriguez Rental Access Worker
Aim of the Program The aim of the program is to act as an early intervention model, to prevent “at risk” people entering the homelessness system. This is by providing immediate assistance to those who are able to maintain private rental, to access and/or retain private rental as a long-term housing option.
Objectives of the Program • To ensure people are assisted to establish and/or maintain private rental accommodation • To provide assistance and support to locate appropriate private rental accommodation • To fill the identified housing gap & complement the (MSHS) SAAP service • To establish cooperative and collaborative working relationships with local Estate Agents and or property managers • To efficiently and effectively administer the Melton Shire “Share Housing Registry” and provide a space for private rental lists to be displayed. • To provide an alternative accommodation option to transitional, community and public housing • To reduce the burden on other resource intensive programs such as crisis accommodation and transitional accommodation.
Program Background Info. • Assistance to secure private rental • To provide limited assistance to view rental properties (based on assessment, family size, available transport etc.) • Provide housing related information, referral and assistance • Regular contact and liaison with local real estate agents • Liaison with relevant HEF or brokerage providers • Provision of available private rental & share accommodation listing in one location – “Melton Share Housing Registry” board.
Assessment & Planning Requirements Each person assisted by the service model should participate in an assessment process comprising: • A housing history E.g. TICA Check, OOH debt • An assessment and development of a financial / housing plan for establishing and sustaining private rental • Identification of other support needs relevant to the household’s capacity to sustain private rental. • Development of a basic action plan (Private Rental Case Plan) If the person/s is locating out of the region, it is necessary to ensure they are resourced in terms of knowledge/ capacity to access resources; referrals to appropriate agencies and resources; and practical housing related support.
Limitation to the Service: • The service model is not intended to provide ongoing support or operate under a long term case-management framework, rather a short term case plan is developed and delivered with spot support provided when identified. • The service model does not offer financial support, however will provide links to grants. • The service model is not designed to provide a crisis response to housing needs. • The service model was not intended to provide support to clients in transitional housing or public housing, however referrals from transitional housing does, regularly occur in current practice. • The service model does not offer an outreach case management service. It offers a complementary private rental housing specialist response.
Intake & Referral Arrangements Referrals come from: • SASHS – IA & P Workers Melton & Sunshine Branch • Melton Shire Council • Youth Allocations Committee ( Y.A.C) • Real Estate Agents • Mac Killop Family Services • And other services ** All clients need to be registered at an Access Point
Key Stakeholders: • Melton Shire Council • Real Estate Agents • Private Landlords • Support Services • The Salvation Army – SASHS Western
Client Information To Consider • Not being blacklisted due to bad rental history • Office of Housing debt • Other debt • Living skills • Understanding Rights & Responsibilities of being a tenant
Other Options.. • Weekly Private Rental Sessions • “Melton Shire Share board” available at Melton Council . This board displays rental lists, Open for Inspection Times & Advertisement for Share board accommodation • 3 Month Probation lease Program • Using Properties for sale for short term leases in order to commence a rental history if there is no prior record of leasing
Facts & Statistics • Council funded Program • 1.0 EFT • Approx 560 clients referred over 30 months • Approx 19 new clients per month • Approx 264 clients have been housed (47.15%) • Approx 9 clients approved for housing per month • Approx 296 clients not housed (52.85%) due to: - Staying on at current accommodation - Moving in with family or friends - Referred to another service E.g. Transitional - No response - Clients move interstate
Statistics
CASE STUDY A 26 year old mother with a 2 year old child has been living in her friend’s garage for about 2 months. She previously rented a house with a housemate and had to give notice to vacate when her friend decided to leave. She could no longer afford the $320pw property on her own. Client received her bond through Office Of Housing. The bond has not been refunded and the client does not know if it will be refunded. The client has an infection in her foot which is not healing and she has a sore back due to sleeping on her mattress which is directly on the floor. Her 2 year old child is constantly sick due to no heating in the garage. The client has very basic reading and writing skills in English and has no family ties in the area for support.
WHAT WAS DONE.... • Initial Private Rental Assessment Completed • Sought out crisis accommodation option for client and child • Checked with previous agent regarding refund of bond and at the same time checked with OOH to make sure full amount was refunded. $120 was deducted due to a damaged blind – client organised a payment plan and paid off debt, so she could then apply for her full OOH bond. • Linked client into the Migrant Resource Centre – for more support in general • Linked client into Djerriwarrah Health Services for assistance with infected foot and general health • Assisted client with getting documents organised for applications and transported clients to OFI times. Assisted client with written applications and also advocated to local agents on her behalf. • After advocating on behalf of the client, the agent was approved on a 6 month “trial lease”. The lease was later renewed for another 12 months. • Linked client to SASHS for assistance with HEF for rent. • Assisted client with OOH bond application • Assisted client with $50.00 food voucher and a voucher to Mumbo Jumbo Play Centre for her child.
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