Yarra Community Housing (YCH) in partnership with the Australian Community Support Organisation (ACSO) has implemented the Yarra SPACE Supportive Accommodation Cluster Model. The Yarra SPACE model is a new innovative model of supportive housing targeting approximately 500 people living in community rooming houses across the City of Yarra.  The model brings together a new dynamic multi-disciplinary team (the Connections Team) who will support tenants using an assertive outreach and community development model. 

The aim of the Yarra Community Housing Supportive Accommodation Cluster Model is to:

“create a safe, thriving, healthy living environment that tenants can call home for the long term”.

Principles

The key principles for the YCH Supportive Accommodation Cluster Model are:

• Support is not contingent on acceptance of support, however support is available when and if tenants require it;
• Support caters for individuals with complex and multiple needs who have been homeless for over 12 months as well as people with lower support needs;
• Provides long term safe secure affordable accommodation;
• Provides support as needed and includes on-site supports for tenants using an assertive engagement model; and
• Provides a graded level of security across the housing cluster, with greater security in properties housing tenants with higher needs.

Key Elements

1. The YCH Cluster Centre is based at 40 Nicholson St, Fitzroy where the concentration of tenants with higher support needs and security requirements reside;

2. Provision of an on-site Connections Team at the YCH Cluster Centre with regular outreach to other properties in the Cluster;

3. Improved coordination of external support services for tenants to ensure an integrated multidisciplinary response. Protocols and multi/interagency agreements will be developed to support strong relationships between the Connections Team and external support services; and

4. A flexible graded security model with higher level security response at the Cluster Centre and lower level security response at more stable properties.

 Objectives

Yarra SPACE is committed to providing the following outcomes for

Tenants -

• Long term sustainable housing with support needs met;
• Enhanced access to support services;
• Smoother transition into appropriate housing;
• Safer living environment;
• Increased stability;
• Improved health and well-being;
• Increased social inclusion for tenants;
• Increased tenants’ skills and independence;
• Stronger sense of home and community within the Cluster housing.

Service System-

• Early identification of needs;
• Speedier holistic coordinated responses to individual needs;
• More effective management of crises with reduced impact on other tenants;
• More effective support interventions;
• Improved service coordination and reduced duplication;
• Improved knowledge and information sharing;
• Improved management of long term high needs;
• Increased stability;
• Community and individual capacity building;

• More support for external services working with Yarra SPACE tenants.

Eligibility

Eligibility for Yarra Community Housing’s (including the Yarra Cluster) accommodation is determined by YCH’s Tenancy Team.  

Target Group

Yarra SPACE is home to over 500 tenants. Many tenants have experienced homelessness and have a range of complex and challenging support needs. Over the last ten years, the profile of YCH tenants has changed to include a higher proportion of tenants dealing with issues of drug use, psychiatric illness, disability, periods of homelessness, periods of incarceration and chronic illness.

Case Study 1

John (de-identified) is a 66 year old male who has been residing at a Yarra SPACE Cluster Property since mid 2006. At the time of signing up for his tenancy he was employed and sometime in 2008 he ceased employment due to declining health. John presents as highly intelligent and has a breadth of life and work experience.

Yarra SPACE staff commenced at the Cluster Centre in mid November 2010. By early December 2010 the Yarra SPACE program identified serious concerns regarding John’s health and wellbeing:

-       Significant mobility issues resulting in him being unable to leave the site to access Banking, Shopping, Medical Appointments etc

-       Extremely underweight

It was Yarra SPACE’s assessment that John would require a specialist outreach health service to facilitate his engagement in treatment and support programs.

Yarra SPACE referred John to RDNS HPP Program in December 2010 who then referred him to a range of specialist primary health services and home care programs.

Outcome

John states that he is feeling stronger, eating better and is looking forward to moving to one of YCH’s new self contained units.

Case Study 2

Tim (de identified) is a 28 year old who moved into a Yarra SPACE Cluster property in August 2010 after release from Prison.

At the time that the Yarra SPACE Cluster Centre Office became operational, Tim’s tenancy was at risk due to anti social behaviours at the property including threats to tenants and property damage.

Tim presented with a range of risk factors;

-       High risk of overdose due to poly drug use (and recent report that he had overdosed)

-       Non compliance with medication for a mental health condition

Tim identified that he experienced difficulty communicating and often felt anger towards others.

Tim was referred to clinical mental health services and hospitalised in the Acute Psychiatric Inpatient Unit. He stabilised on his medication and was discharged to his accommodation. Tim was then offered case management through Yarra SPACE.

Outcome