Garraworra: A service success story

A story from this year’s annual report…

The Garraworra Supported Housing Program in Berrimah, Darwin, has showed itself to be a vital support to its clients and a real credit to Anglicare NT this year, with many success stories coming out of the project. The program underwent an evaluation between April 2013 and January 2014 to monitor its progress and to pave the way for future funding.

Those who come to Garraworra for help are people on the waitlist for Territory Housing. They are applicants who don’t yet have a housing referral and/or have been identified as needing assistance to enable them to be able to sustain a tenancy.

“Some may have a previous history of bad tenancies, others may have come from a remote community and have never had a tenancy in their own right, and others may have social or emotional factors at play such as domestic violence,” says Program Manager Karen Ah Mat.

This unique service allows these families to live for between three months to 12 months in purpose-built accommodation, under the supervision of a team of six, who teach them the kind of skills they need to become a good rental tenant of Territory Housing. When the team makes the decision that a participant has shown that they can maintain a house in a safe and hygienic condition, are managing their financial affairs, and also understand the issues around visitor management and noise and nuisance, a reference is sent into Territory Housing who will then allocate them appropriate housing to their needs.

There are 12 dwellings at Garraworra, each with two to four bedrooms. The houses are fully furnished and clients have the opportunity to buy their own mattresses, linen and kitchen utensils in preparation for moving to their own permanent housing.

The team assesses new participants and their care of the home through daily visits during the first week. Staff look for behaviours such as taking rubbish out, mopping floors, using a stove, storing food and cleaning the toilet. Then, week by week, clients are taken through the process of thoroughly cleaning one area of the house.

“We need to keep them here long enough to bring about change that would enable them to sustain a tenancy with Territory Housing,” says Karen. “It’s managing money, managing utilities, learning how to clean and moving on with regard to past domestic violence and drinking issues.”
“Some are gone within six months because they are just straight away consistent in managing their homes, but others are here for over a year as they need a bit more support. Often they’ve never had a house of their own and they’re basically starting from scratch.”

In October 2011, Karen Ah Mat and Ian O’Reilly (who at the time was Operations Manager for Community Services Darwin Region) were given the keys to the brand new custom-built community of empty houses and faced the challenge of starting up the service. Today, team members Karen, Sandie, Delores, Mary Anne, Dale and Phillip keep the place running, tending to the needs of clients and enabling them to build their skills.

The first participants came to live in Garraworra in January 2012 and since then over 20 family groups have gone on to have successful tenancies with Territory Housing. The name Garraworra was given, after consultation with the Larrakia people as an appropriate name for the site and what the programs aims were.

Not all participants are successful in achieving a reference and some decide that public housing in Darwin may not be for them. At times it can be very trying for staff having to deal with domestic violence, visitors and, at times, participants who will resort to violence or insults. The rewards though outnumber the negatives with new babies, children achieving at school and seeing people developing new behaviours and skills. Having staff based at the facility means participants are better supported and receive assistance as needed.

The team tries to generate a sense of community and cooperation at Garraworra, whilst leading the tenants towards a lifestyle that is more independent of the welfare mentality. They find that people appreciate the time and attention they receive, and often are able to deal with past traumas; it is sometimes an emotional journey for them. It is good to see participants developing their self esteem along with the other skills that will enable them to move on with their lives and sustain their future tenancies.

“People say they feel safe when they’re here, and it’s peaceful,” says Karen. “It’s very rewarding.”

Housing services update

Anglicare NT provides a range of services which respond to the diverse needs of people experiencing a period of homelessness and which also work with vulnerable people and families to prevent homelessness. Territory Housing has extended funding to June 30 2015.

Homelessness services (transitional housing, short/medium term supported accommodation, case management information & referral, tenancy support services, early intervention etc) are a significant feature of the work of Anglicare NT and as we know Territory homelessness rates are above national averages. This puts the organisation at the centre of discussions on poverty, housing affordability, income security and other causative factors contributing to homelessness such as family breakdown, domestic violence and financial pressures.