Supported Temporary Accommodation

⁠⁠⁠The NSW Department of Family and Community Services (FACS) is preparing to release an expression of interest (EOI) for organisations with the capacity to deliver a supported temporary accommodation (TA) service in selected areas. The EOI is expected to be released in early April 2017 and will include an application form for organisations to respond to the EOI. Please do not submit a proposal in response to this notification as only applications in response to the formal EOI will be considered.

Below is information regarding the services that will be sought through the EOI.

Background

People experiencing homelessness are some of the most vulnerable people in the state and can have a range of needs and complexities.

FACS provides TA to clients who are homeless and are not able to be accommodated by Specialist Homelessness Services (SHS). The intention of TA is to provide a bridge to give clients a chance to secure other accommodation, including crisis accommodation and private rental. It is a short-term temporary measure rather than a longer-term response.

In many cases, FACS utilises motels, caravan parks and other low cost accommodation options to place TA clients.

In 2015-16 FACS supported over 21,500 homelessness clients with TA. Generally, clients are initially approved for a few nights of TA, however this can be extended based on the client’s circumstances.

Further information regarding TA is available on the Housing Pathways website at http://www.housingpathways.nsw.gov.au/?a=328917.

Through the EOI, FACS will be calling for innovative ideas from interested organisations who believe they can make a difference to the lives of homeless people by leveraging off existing and/or under utilised assets in partnership with relevant philanthropic and/or not for profit organisations to deliver value for money outcomes.

Desired outcomes

* Clients are able to access safe, clean and appropriate accommodation during times of crisis.

* Clients are supported to access the services they need to meet complex needs that may include domestic violence, mental health issues, substance use, family breakdown, and a range of other issues.

* Clients are proactively supported to access appropriate long term accommodation options in the quickest time possible.

* Essential services

* Safe, clean and appropriate accommodation that has kitchen and laundry facilities (either self contained or shared), and is close to public transport.

* On site concierge and/or security and/or support services – as is relevant to the property itself or the target client group.

* Provision of support and case coordination to clients – this may be direct (either on site or outreach), or indirectly through partnerships.

* Provision of tenancy facilitation – that is, support to clients to access long term accommodation options; and will require effective partnerships with relevant stakeholders such as Specialist Homelessness Services, FACS Housing, Community Housing Providers, and private real estate agents.

* Desirable attributes

* Experience in the provision of short term accommodation for vulnerable clients.

* Experience in case management and tenancy facilitation.

* Service footprint in the relevant local area and existing positive relationships with relevant support providers.

* Service models

* FACS is interested in any providers and service models that can demonstrate value for money and capacity to deliver the essential services and desired outcomes. Examples of these are listed below, but are not limited to these:

* Use of existing residential properties

Providers may own or be able to access one or more properties in the relevant area (not FACS-owned properties) that are in good condition and offer safety and amenity to clients with complex needs. Properties should be available for at least 12 months.

Use of existing commercial properties for ‘pop up’ approaches

Providers may own or be able to access one or more commercial properties in the relevant area – for example vacant hotels or apartment blocks that have been sold for development and awaiting Development Approvals which often take 12-18 months.

The use of vacant office buildings awaiting Development Approval may also be considered however providers would need to fund appropriate refurbishment for temporary accommodation purposes.

Use of vacant land with relocatable properties

Providers may have access to land that is temporarily vacant, for example, while awaiting Development Approval. This land can be used for temporary accommodation by placing relocatable dwellings on it. These dwellings may be demountable, ‘tiny homes’, flat packs, or other types of relocatable dwelling. The land should be available for at least 12 months.

Pricing

FACS will be seeking value for money proposals that lower the cost of the provision of TA to people who are homeless and achieve better outcomes than existing approaches.

For this reason, FACS is seeking proposals that have a strong philanthropic component and which are driven by the desire to achieve social outcomes.

Services can either be pre-paid, or paid on a per use basis as deemed appropriate.