Glossary

affordable housing—Housing that is affordable for low- to moderate-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 household income for occupants in the bottom 40 per cent of household incomes.¹⁰⁷

brokerage funds—Flexible funds that are available to buy and deliver services that are specific to the needs of 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—A Commonwealth 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.

Common Ground—The Common Ground model was developed in New York. It provides a comprehensive support system designed to help people regain their stability and independence. Housing that is safe, attractive and affordable is provided at affordable rents (approximately 30 per cent of tenants’ income). The housing complexes operate as communities and are provided with libraries, clinics, computer centres. Activities fostering interaction between tenants are provided to foster a sense of community. The first Australian Common Ground model is now operating in Adelaide.

Council of Australian Governments (COAG)—The peak intergovernmental 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.

crisis accommodation—Accommodation for people who are experiencing or are at risk of homelessness, which provides short-term 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.¹⁰⁸

early intervention—Strategies that aim to reduce risk factors through timely identification and tailored advice and support for those at risk of homelessness.

emergency 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). See also crisis accommodation.

family violence—See domestic violence.

Foyer models—Foyer models provide housing for young people who are homeless. The housing is conditional on their participating in education, training or employment. Several Foyer models currently operate in Australia.

Housing and Accommodation Support Initiative (HASI) —An innovative program that links stable housing to a range of specialist supports for people with mental illness, to enable full participation in the community and improved quality of life. The program is funded by the NSW Government.

homelessness—People who are homeless fall into three broad groups, that is, those who are:

sleeping rough (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 that 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 replaces the Commonwealth State Housing Agreement and the Supported Accommodation Assistance Program V Agreement in 2009. The new agreement will encompass housing and homelessness assistance provided at all levels of government (Commonwealth and state and territory).

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.

sleeping rough—See homelessness.

social housing—Rental housing that 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 who 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.¹⁰⁹

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 and 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.¹¹⁰

specialist homelessness services—Services that work to assist people who are homeless or at risk of homelessness. (See also Supported Accommodation Assistance Program.)

specialist support services—Services that address specific needs, such as domestic violence services or mental health services.

support period—The time during which a person is supported by a SAAP agency. It commences when a SAAP client begins to receive support and/or supported accommodation from a SAAP agency and ends when the client ends the relationship with the agency or the agency ends the relationship with the client.

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.

NOTE: This document refers to SAAP when discussing the program as it exists up to 31 December 2008. Due to the changes that will be implemented as of 1 January 2009 under the National Affordable Housing Agreement (NAHA), the term ‘specialist homelessness services’ is used to describe SAAP services and other services that assist people who are homeless.

sustainable housing—Housing that is affordable, offers secure tenure, and is appropriate for the client given their needs and history, such as support for sustaining housing.

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