The length of support periods under the Commonwealth-State
governments' Supported Accommodation Assistance Program (SAAP) has
been increasing, according to a report released today by the
Australian Institute of Health and Welfare (AIHW).
The SAAP program provides support and accommodation for people
who are homeless or at risk of homelessness.
The SAAP annual report, compiled by the AIHW, shows that in
1996-97 around 45% of support periods lasted 2 days or less, with a
median support period of 4 days. In 1999-00, 38% of support periods
lasted 2 days or less, with a median support period of 6 days.
Combined Commonwealth and State/Territory government funding in
1999-00 for the SAAP program was $245.5 million, up 5% in real
terms since 1996-97. Approximately 1200 SAAP agencies across
Australia received $231.7 million, up 9% in real terms since
1996-97.
The Program assisted 90,000 clients last financial year, similar
to previous years.
In 1999-00, 55% of clients were women. The average age of female
clients was 30 years, while for men it was 32 years.
Eighteen per cent of female clients were from an Indigenous
Australian background, and 13% from a non-English-speaking
background. The corresponding figures for male clients were 9% and
9%.
Overall, the main reasons for seeking assistance were domestic
violence (23%), relationship breakdown (12%), financial
difficulties (11%) and eviction or previous accommodation ended
(10%).
For women with children, 57% sought assistance because of
domestic violence while for single women over 25 years of age the
figure was 44%.
The main reason reported by men over 25 for seeking assistance
was financial difficulty (around 20% of cases).
In 1999-00, 86% of all services requested by clients were
provided to some extent, with an additional 6% of requests being
referred to other service providers.
The types of support most often provided were housing services
or accommodation (74% of periods of support), general support or
advocacy (including living skills, assistance with legal issues,
advice/information, retrieval of belongings, liaison on behalf of
client) (72%), and 'other support' (meals, showers, laundry
facilities, recreation, transport, etc.) (68%).
30 November 2000
Further information: Justin Griffin, AIHW, tel.
02 6244 1206.
Gloria Jackson, AIHW, tel. 02 6244 1072
Doug Limbrick, Dept of Family and Community Services, tel. 02 6212
9021
For media copies of the report: Publications Officer,
tel. 02 6244 1032.
Availability: Check the AIHW Publications
Catalogue for availability.