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 people experiencing homelessness and those at risk of homelessness, including women escaping DV.

On 1 January 2009, SAAP was replaced by the National Affordable Housing Agreement (NAHA). The final SAAP program (SAAP V), governed by the Supported Assistance Act 1994, specifies that the overall aim of SAAP was 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 were: 

1. to resolve crisis; 
2. to re-establish family links where appropriate; 
3. to re-establish a capacity to live independently of SAAP.

The states and territories were responsible for managing the program, while services were provided largely by independent agencies. In 2007-08 approximately 1,550 non government, community or local government organisations were funded nationally under the program. Such organisations range from small stand-alone agencies with single outlets to larger auspice bodies with multiple outlets. They provided accommodation and support services to a range of groups including homeless families, singles, young people, and women and children escaping domestic violence. 

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 2007-08 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