STARH PROJECT

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STARH PROJECT Supporting Those At Risk of
Homelessness CASE STUDY (Funded by the
Department of Communities - QLD)
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Presenting Issues

• Family Grandparents living with 8y/o grandson
  in Private Rental Accommodation
• Grandfather suffering depression, Grandmother
  suffering anxiety over financial problems and
  tenancy problems including rental arrears.
• Grandson being treated by St Vincent Family
  Services for behavioural problems. Treating
  Psychologist referred family to STARH

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Assessment

• Grandparents and Grandson lived in 2 bedroom
  unit
• Grandparents were also supporting another
  daughter (pregnant) and her partner due to loss
  of their Private Rental Accommodation.
• Young Couple had been residing with family for
  over 4 months, real estate was unaware they were
  there.
• Appeared to be unclear as to young couples plans
  and timeframes regarding moving out
• Appeared to be no firm agreement of contribution
  to the cost of residing with the family by the
  young couple

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How we worked together

• STARH obtained permission to meet with young
  couple and developed separate case management
  plans with both couples, inclusive of childs
  needs.
• Written consent to communicate with other
  agencies was obtained from both couples eg.
  Centrelink, Real Estate(s), St Vincent de Paul
  family services, Young Parents Program etc.

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How we worked together

• Case Worker / Tenancy Support Worker worked
  collaboratively with Real Estate Grandparents
  to obtain outcome that best suited all parties
  regarding rental arrears.
• Case Worker worked with Grandparents around
  living skills such as budgeting and developing
  strategies to reduce spending eg. Food co-ops
  less expensive food outlets planning of meals.
• Case Worker also attended meetings as requested
  by Grandparents, involving Grandson. Meetings
  with the school St Vincent de Paul family
  services.

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How we worked together

• Case Worker made referral to support group
  targetted for Grandparents caring for
  Grandchildren.
• Case Worker made referral to Financial Counselor
  around other debts Grandparents had and provided
  info on free taxation assitance.
• Case worker negotiated with school to alleviate
  some of the educational financial difficulties
  Grandparents were experiencing
• Case Worker invited Grandparents to a social
  participation outing with other clients their
  own age to visit Life Line Warehouse have
  coffee.

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How we worked together

• Case Worker / Tenancy Support Worker assisted
  young couple to address previous TICA issue
• Case Worker assisted young couple to locate and
  secure Private Rental Accommodation
• Case Worker worked with young couple to develop
  and maintain budget and work towards managing
  debts.
• Case Worker assisted young man with referral to
  Skills for Life course to obtain blue card for
  work.
• Case Worker referred young couple to Young
  Parents Program.

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Just when you think you can see the woods for the
trees

• The young women falls asleep with food cooking on
  the stove and the kitchen is engulfed in fire.

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How we worked together

• The young couple move back to the parents
  (Grandparents).
• Luckily for a faulty smoke detector and quick
  talking Tenancy Support Worker, the Real Estate
  cant be more than helpful providing another
  property option
• On this occasion the Grandparents and young
  couple decide to get a bigger house and share the
  housing costs.

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Outcomes

• Family still living in Private Rental
  Accommodation prioritising rental payments and
  signed a 12 months lease
• Family worked towards being 3 weeks ahead with
  rent, as their housing safety net.
• Family exhibiting less signs of stress and more
  strength strategies to navigate any future
  issues that may arise.
• Family also now have a beautiful, healthy new
  member - baby girl

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Project Response to Prevention of Homelessness

• 3 Key Areas to Early Intervention

Immediacy of response to critical housing
issue Stabilize housing / financial crisis
Strength based practice with holistic case
planning Build worker/client relationship Resili
ence and sustainability
Flexibility with brokerage funds (case plan
managed) Advocacy Supported Referral
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The End