Supported accommodation assistance program (SAAP)
The Supported Accommodation Assistance Program (SAAP) was established in 1985 to consolidate a number of Commonwealth, State and Territory government programs assisting homeless people and women and children escaping domestic violence. SAAP provides recurrent funding for salaries and other operational costs associated with the provision of housing and support for people who are experiencing homelessness or are at risk of homelessness.
The current program, governed by the Supported Assistance Act 1994, specifies that the overall aim of SAAP is to provide transitional supported accommodation and related support services, in order to help people who are homeless to achieve the maximum possible degree of self-reliance and independence. The Act further states that within this aim the goals are:
- to resolve crisis;
- to re-establish family links where appropriate;
- to re-establish a capacity to live independently of SAAP.
The States and Territories are responsible for managing the program, while services are provided largely by independent agencies. Approximately 1,300 non government, community or local government organisations are funded nationally under the program. Such organisations range from small stand-alone agencies with single outlets to larger auspice bodies with multiple outlets. They provide accommodation and support services to a range of groups including homeless families, singles, young people, and women and children escaping domestic violence. Further information on SAAP can be found on the Department of Housing, Families, Community Services and Indigenous Affairs website.
The diverse nature of client need is reflected in the considerable range of services these agencies provide for people who are homeless or at risk of becoming homeless. Support may involve the provision of accommodation as well as a range of other services aimed at assisting those who are homeless or at risk of becoming homeless.
The SAAP National Data Collection Agency (NDCA) has been reporting on SAAP since 1996 and much of the information collected is available from NDCA reports. Some statistics from the 2005-06 annual report can be reached by using the links below:
- Clients
- Support periods
- Types of support
- Ethnicity
- Age and sex of clients and accompanying children
- Duration of support
- Situation before and after support