Homelessness service reform in South Australia
What is changing?
- The way homeless, Domestic and Family Violence services are delivered in South Australia is changing to an Alliance delivery model, with four geographically based Alliances (Adelaide South, Adelaide North, Country South and Country North), and a state-wide Domestic and Family Violence Alliance. It means that services will work more closely together to close gaps and provide the right services when people need them. It is the biggest reform of the homelessness system in more than a decade.
- This new alliance model will replace the current arrangements where State Government funds about 75 separate homelessness and domestic and family violence programs in South Australia delivered by over 30 organisations, at a cost of $71.5 million this year.
Why does the system need to change?
- During engagement to develop Our Housing Future 2020-2030, there was a clear message from people who used homelessness services that the system was confusing and difficult to navigate, disempowering and needed to change.
- The new alliance model creates collective impact and accountability – meaning providers and the SA Housing Trust will need to work together to deliver outcomes for people at risk of or experiencing homelessness.
What is an alliance model?
- Under the new model, organisations will work together with their other non-government alliance members and with State Government, drawing on their combined skills, experience, rather than as separate organisations.
- This model means both the State Government and non-government partners take collective ownership of opportunities and responsibilities, and share decision making. It also means organisations will work together to close service gaps.
When are the changes being introduced?
- The five new alliances, will deliver homelessness and domestic and family violence services across the state from 1 July, 2021.
What about domestic and family violence services?
- One of the five new alliances is a state-wide domestic and family violence service, bringing together all DFV services across South Australia.
- This new approach will support the adoption of best practice service approaches for women and their children across the state and metro and regional providers will now all deliver safe at home responses to support women and their children to remain safely in their own home.
What are "Safety First" and "Housing First" principles?
- The five new alliances will operate under “Safety First” and “Housing First” principles.
- “Safety First” will be a focus of the alliances for anyone affected by domestic and family violence. Safety First places the safety of the woman and their children at the centre of decision making, and seeks to address their immediate physical and emotional safety needs and enable recovery and sustainable safety.
- “Housing First” means that safe and permanent housing (not crisis or transitional housing) is the first priority for people experiencing homelessness, without being tied to any behavioural change requirements.
Who are the five alliances?
- The five alliances are made up of a total of 23 different organisations.
- These alliances are divided into four geographical regions across South Australia, with two metropolitan alliances – Adelaide South and Adelaide North, as well as two regional alliances – Country South and Country North.
- A state-wide domestic and family violence service will bring together all DFV services across South Australia.
- To see the organisations in each alliance, visit SA Homelessness Alliances.
How was the tender process conducted?
- The successful alliances were selected through an open and competitive tender process. The competitive tender process was undertaken to ensure that the alliances selected provide the best possible services for the South Australians that need them.
- This tender process has been led and managed by SA Housing Trust, which has ensured that all participants have been treated fairly and equally at all stages.
I'm a current client, what will happen to my service?
- Under their existing contracts, current service providers have a responsibility to do everything possible to smoothly transition to the new arrangements.
- Any clients who have any questions about their services during this transition period should contact their service provider.
How can I find out more?
- More information about the new alliances and the Future Directions for Homelessness reforms is available at SA Homelessness Alliances
- This website also includes information about the 10-year housing and homelessness strategy Our Housing Future 2020-2030.
- You can also keep up to date by following SA Housing Trust on Facebook at www.Facebook.com/SAHousingTrust.