Objectives:
• Understanding of the strategic, integrated and innovative approach adopted by ACTML (PIR lead agency) and partners to address homelessness and housing stress.
• Understanding how ACTML (PIR lead agency) and partners, through PIR, are addressing the housing needs of local people with enduring mental illness and complex needs and in doing so unlocking the private rental market for others too.
References: Please add (CNA – Homelessness and housing stress, CNA – Mental Health)
Abstract: ACT Medicare Local (ACTML) is the appointed lead agency for ACTs Partners in Recovery program: commissioning support facilitation services; identifying and addressing system issues and; strengthening partnership and service system integration for the benefit of local people with complex and enduring mental illness.
Our approach to PIR support facilitation is considered successful: founded on the principles of collective impact (leveraging added value and goodwill); integrating the service across the community and service system and; to date, addressing the needs of some 336 participants (77% of the Commonwealth estimate of 436 across the three year contract period to June 2016).
The collation of data on the expressed needs and priorities of participants has made explicit system deficits and barriers to services and supports.
Homelessness and housing stress is a major issue encompassing access, affordability and sustainability. In collaboration with ACT Government we are developing a local initiative that will help address this need. Our joint initiative focuses on the use of flexible funds and housing supports to unlocking access to the private rental market by working partner organisations, a cohort of community minded landlords, housing and community services to provide appropriate housing and supports for mutual benefit.

This abstract describes an innovative alternative to facility-based housing and recovery programmes. Residential Housing & Recovery services responded to the closure of psychiatric institutions early in the 1990s. These facilities formed an early part of the infrastructure which assisted people towards ‘community living’. Families gained some comfort from a sense that such facilities eased the transition of their family member into the community. Communities were often reluctant to share their neighbourhood with people diagnosed with mental illness. These programmes too often became quasi institutional with a focus on custodial care. Contracts required services to assume responsibility for service users, resulting in service users becoming dependent and often being disempowered.
In 2013 LINC Support Services negotiated with DHB funders to abandon the housing and recovery contracts in favour of a community outreach programme. This move came in response to the Ministry of Health’s Mental Health and Addictions Service Development Plan 2012 – 2017 known as ‘Rising to the Challenge. LINC developed a model of service delivery where support staff are contracted to work with service users in their own homes on an appointment basis. The contact with service users is purposeful and results-focused.
As the LINC name signifies, the aim is to facilitate service users back to 'Living Independently, Negotiating Communities'. Staff support service users in their own homes, empowering them to reach their individual potential as valued members of society.
To conclude, this change, which has not required any additional funding, has achieved the Blueprint II (2012) priority of reducing the average cost per person treated while improving outcomes and offering choice to service users.

Many consumers residing in long stay mental health facilities have the goal of living in the community, however finding the appropriate accommodation with the right support can be the biggest barrier to achieving this (Trauer, 2001). Housing and Accommodation Support Initiative Plus (HASI+) Program was funded to provide 16 and 24 hour recovery-orientated accommodation and support to meet the needs of these consumers. In Northern Sydney Local Health District (NSLHD), HASI+ partnerships have been formed and strengthened from executive to frontline level, between Health and non-government organisations, New Horizons and Mission Australia, to support consumers’ wellbeing in daily living, community engagement and striving towards personal recovery goals.

The emerging outcomes throughout the first 18 months of HASI+ include consumers developing active citizenship in their local community to a reduction in the number of Community Treatment Orders. Prominent themes are evident through the growing consumer stories that HASI+ is more than just a place to live; it is about having the opportunity to take responsibility for one’s own life, create meaning, purpose and hope for the present and into the future. It is about creating a safe place to call home where recovery is actively supported, allowing for growth and transformation.