Glossary

Affordable housing—housing that is affordable for lower to middle-income households, when housing costs are low enough to enable the household to meet other basic, long-term living costs. For example, housing costs should be less than 30 per cent of the household income for occupants in the bottom 40 per cent of household incomes.²³⁰

Brokerage funds—flexible funds that are available to buy and deliver services that are specific to the needs of their clients.

Case management—a process of assessment, facilitation and advocacy on behalf of the client to obtain services to meet the client’s needs and desired outcomes.

Census—the Census of Population and Housing carried out by the Australian Bureau of Statistics. It aims to accurately measure the number of people in Australia on Census night, their key characteristics, and the dwellings in which they live. Census 2006 is the most recent Australian Census, however limited data are available at this stage.

Centrelink—an Australian Government statutory agency which assists Australians to become self-sufficient and supports people in need by delivering a range of services, including income support payments.

Centrepay—a free, voluntary, direct bill paying service offered to customers receiving payments from Centrelink. Deductions are made directly by Centrelink from customers’ fortnightly payments.

Council of Australian Governments—the peak inter-governmental forum in Australia, comprising the Prime Minister, state premiers, territory chief ministers and the President of the Australian Local Government Association. The council’s role is to initiate, develop and monitor the implementation of policy reforms that are of national significance and require cooperative action by all levels of government.

Commonwealth State Housing Agreement—a multi-party agreement between the Australian Government and each state and territory government that aims to provide appropriate, affordable and secure housing assistance for those who need it most, for the duration of their need. The agreement provides six housing assistance programs:

public housing
state and territory-owned and managed Indigenous housing
community housing
crisis accommodation program
private rent assistance
home purchase assistance

Crisis accommodation—for people who are experiencing or are at risk of homelessness, provides short-term accommodation in temporary accommodation including refuges, shelters, motels, flats, boarding houses or caravan parks.

Domestic and family violence—Domestic violence occurs when one partner in an intimate relationship attempts by physical or psychological means to dominate and control the other. It is generally understood as ‘gendered violence’, and is an abuse of power within a relationship or after separation. In most cases the offender is male and the victim female.

Family violence is the term preferred by many Indigenous communities. ‘Family’ covers a diverse range of ties of mutual obligation and support, and perpetrators and victims of family violence can include, for example, aunts, uncles, cousins and children of previous relationships.

A wide range of behaviours may be involved in domestic or family violence, including physical, sexual, spiritual, verbal, emotional, social and economic abuse.²³¹

Early intervention—strategies which aim to reduce risk factors through timely identification and tailored advice and support for those at risk of homelessness.

Emergency accommodation—(see also Crisis accommodation) short-term accommodation provided for people who have recently lost their housing (crisis) or are homeless (in, for example, shelters, motels, flats or caravan parks).

Family violence—see Domestic violence

Homelessness—people who are homeless fall into three broad groups, that is, those who are:

‘sleeping rough’, such as living on the streets
living in temporary accommodation, such as crisis accommodation (see Crisis accommodation) or staying with friends or relatives
staying in boarding houses or caravan parks with no secure lease and no private facilities.

Mainstream services—generalist services provided by either government or non-government agencies which are available to the general population, such as Centrelink, public and community housing (see Social housing), aged care and community health centres.

National Affordable Housing Agreement—the National Affordable Housing Agreement will replace the Commonwealth State Housing Agreement. The new agreement will encompass housing assistance provided at all levels of government (Commonwealth, state and territory and local government).

Not-for-profit sector—non-government organisations providing a broad range of social services, including in relation to homelessness, education, health, conservation, and recreation. The sector is an integral part of Australia’s economic, social and political systems.

Prevention—programs and opportunities that enable and encourage individuals to address possible risk factors before they are vulnerable to homelessness.

Supported Accommodation Assistance Program (SAAP)—a joint Commonwealth and state and territory government funded support program, which assists people who are homeless or at risk of homelessness through a range of support and supported accommodation services.

SAAP Innovation and Investment Fund—a joint Commonwealth and state and territory government initiative which provides the capacity to develop and implement innovative service models that will identify and promote best practice and achieve improved and sustainable outcomes for SAAP clients.

Social housing—rental housing which is provided and/or managed by government or non-government organisations. This housing is mainly targeted at people on low incomes who are in greatest need. This includes those who are homeless; living in inappropriate housing; or have very high rental costs.

In public housing, the majority of tenants pay less than the market rent (that is, 25 per cent or less of their income). In community housing, rent payments range from less than 25 per cent to more than 30 per cent of income. Tenants also receive a range of support services (such as personal support and employment support) and are encouraged to be involved in managing community dwellings.²³²

Social inclusion—To be socially included, all Australians need to be able to play a full role in Australian life, in economic, social, psychological and political terms. To be socially included, all Australians must be given the opportunity to:

secure a job
access services
connect with others in life through family, friends, work, personal interests and local community
deal with personal crises such as ill health, bereavement or the loss of a job
have their voice heard.²³³

Specialist support services—services to address specific needs, such as domestic violence services or mental health services.

Steering Group—Tony Nicholson, Executive Director of the Brotherhood of St Laurence (Chair), Anna Buduls, a company director and philanthropist, and Heather Nancarrow, Director of the Queensland Centre for Domestic and Family Violence Research.

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