AMES' HSP and housing teams are going above and beyond the call of duty to get clients into long-term accommodation in the face of the housing crisis.
Working cooperatively with HSP, last month the housing team supported over 70 HSP clients into long-term accommodation.
The teams currently have a record number of new arrivals staying in short term accommodation (STA). The average time spent in STA has increased considerably over the past 12-18 months as it becomes harder to secure long term accommodation leases.
And the effort required to locate and secure long term accommodation has also increased; families are having to attend a larger number of rental inspections to have a chance at securing accommodation.
AMES manager Operations and Practice Anthony Ferretto said this means that families are under pressure to learn how to use public transport much quicker and also pay more for their Myki travel.
“With this in mind, AMES has partnered with Metro Trains to deliver Metro/Myki information sessions for new arrivals within the AMES STA facilities," Anthony said.
“Newly arrived clients will develop their understanding of the Myki and public transport systems in Australia, and the training will include a practical excursion to Flinders Street Station.
“The first sessions will be running in April in client first language.
“The AMES HSP case management and housing team continue to work together as much as possible to support clients into long term housing. Last month, AMES housing team supported over 70 HSP clients into a long-term accommodation, which is an amazing effort.
“The search for a long-term accommodation can delay children's enrolment into school. Mainstream schools often prefer to know children's long-term address before commencing the children in the school," Anthony said.