Transitional accommodation is so much more than housing

Anglicare NT runs transitional accommodation services in Darwin and Alice Springs that offer the same medium-term style of accommodation as YiSSA on Batten Road in Darwin. Our facilities are smaller, but the services are largely the same.

So, what is transitional accommodation and why are housing service providers so worried about YiSSA shutting its doors?

A vital piece of the homelessness puzzle

When a person is accepted into transitional accommodation, they are homeless or at risk of becoming homeless. Around Australia most people living in transitional accommodation are families escaping domestic and family violence, single male adults and young people under 25. Everyone in transitional housing is at a precarious time in their lives which is why this style of accommodation is a vital piece of the homelessness prevention puzzle.

“People need time, stability and support to get back on their feet after difficult times. Transitional housing provides a bridge between crisis and independence, helping people strengthen their wellbeing, reconnect with opportunities and move into long-term housing with a much greater chance of breaking from the cycle of homelessness” explains Anglicare NT CEO Craig Kelly.

Not just housing, a chance to catch up

“It’s not just about housing people; it’s about supporting people to create a pathway forward” said Craig who is also the chairperson of the NT Shelter Board. “Transitional accommodation helps people to step out of the chaos of homelessness and be supported to regain stability and work towards a permanent home.”

Most transitional housing models focus on learning and support with an end goal of permanent housing. Rent is usually cheaper than the private market and tenants commit to learning skills everyone needs to run a house such as budgeting, understanding tenancy agreements, tenancy rights, house maintenance – that kind of thing.

All communities need transitional housing

“When transitional housing isn’t there, people sleep rough or squash into overcrowded and often unsafe homes. There is no doubt living without housing stability is harmful to mental and physical health, and the impacts are felt far beyond the individual,” said Craig.

Without transitional housing, people lose a vital stepping stone out of homelessness which places additional pressure on families, neighbourhoods and already stretched services.

Exiting from transitional accommodation becomes a waiting game

One of the biggest challenges of transitional accommodation in the Northern Territory is exiting people into long term secure housing because the public housing supply isn’t available. When the wait times are more than six to 10 years, people are staying in medium term accommodation longer than was ever intended.