
Initial
Housing Assessment & Planning (IA&P)
The
Initial Assessment & Planning (IA&P) team responds to
clients by:
- Providing housing
information
- Housing
option assessment
- Assessment and referral
to appropriate support and housing related services
- Housing
advocacy in the private rental and public housing
sectors
- Working
with transitional housing tenants to secure long-term housing when
exiting transitional housing.
Housing
Information
The
IA&P team provides information including tenancy advice,
information about priority access to public housing, establishing
and maintaining private rental, and community housing options such
as rooming houses and co-operatives.
Housing
Option Assessment
In line
with the key aims of NEHS, housing options and preferences are
assessed in conjunction with the client. This process determines
whether the current housing situation can be stabilised and whether
this will be stable and suitable in the longer term.
Where
there are no other appropriate housing options, clients are
assessed for entry into transitional housing. When there is a delay
in the availability of transitional housing clients are referred to
other appropriate crisis housing services, e.g. youth or women’s
refuges. If these options aren’t available or appropriate HEF
resources may allow NEHS to provide financial assistance to cover
temporary accommodation in hotels or caravan parks while waiting
for access to transitional housing.
Referrals
to Support and Housing Related Services
All
clients approaching NEHS, whether offered transitional housing or
not, are made aware of the availability of appropriate support
services. Information and or referral is provided in consultation
with the client.
Exiting
Transitional Housing
If
transitional housing tenants are not receiving support from any
other service to exit transitional housing. IA&P worker
at NEHS will assist the tenant to find long-term housing. In most
cases Exit Planning will occur prior to entry into transitional
housing, including being assessed for eligibility for priority
access to public housing. In exceptional circumstances Exit
Planning may be delayed until the tenant has taken
occupancy.
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