Homeless & Transitional Support Services

St. Bartholomew’s House Homeless & Transitional Support Service offers secure accommodation and support services for single men aged 18 years and above experiencing homelessness

We provide short-term accommodation to people who need some time -

(a) to re-adjust or rehabilitate themselves after a social crisis; or
(b) to find long term accommodation options.

Our aim is to assist in the transition from homelessness to independent living within the wider community

General Information

7 Lime Street, East Perth WA 6004      (next to Claisebrook Station and City Farm)

The House is laid out over 6 floors, and is co-located with the organisations head office, aged care service and Independent Units.

 

Service Access

Support staff are available for support, advocacy, advice and provision of resources on a daily basis from 0700 to 2330. A concierge is employed to provide security and monitor the accommodation overnight.

Residents are provided with an access card which allows entry to the building and their room from 0600 to 2330.

The crisis and transitional accommodation does have some disabled facilities .  Due to the nature of the program there is a level of independence that is required.

Admissions

Admissions are generally from 8.00am to 8.00pm seven days a week.
There are no admissions after 8.00pm.

Prospective residents  are required to present personal identification on admission.

On admission All Residents will be initially  accommodated in the crisis accommodation.

The Service

Crisis accommodation – 12 beds

Crisis accommodation is only available for roughly 7 days, depending on the support needs of the resident. Residents are provided with private bedroom, shared bathroom facilities, laundry facilities, designated smoking areas and will be provided three meals a day. A communal activities space and TV room are available for all crisis residents. Thereafter Residents will be asked if they wish to be part of a transitional and restorative program for the following 5 months.

 

Transitional Accommodation- 42 beds (entry point through crisis program)

Residents  who choose to be part of the program will be provided with a private room with en-suite and TV, communal laundry facilities and self catering facilities in the communal kitchen located on each floor. Each floor only accommodates 9 residents therefore providing a quiet, private and stable environment for residents to reflect on their progress. All residents on the transitional program will be provided with, and expected to participate in, one on one case management on a weekly basis to provide advice, advocacy, emotional support and develop an individualized case management plan to aid residents in moving on and into a more independent life.

 

 

Case Management – Reconnecting Lives

Assisting our clients with accessing the services and supports they are entitled to, is one of our main focuses at St Bart’s.

Case management is a process of working with the client on an individual level and focuses on their needs, goals, and developing flexible strategies to assist them to achieve their goals. Empowering our clients to make positive changes is the aim of our Case Management program.

Activities Program

Our team works in partnership with external agencies, including Reclink, to provide a range of activities for residents to take part in. With a program that includes recreational activities such as adventure sports like canoeing or rock climbing, and team sports such as AFL, cricket and soccer tournaments as well as drumbeat classes, arts and craft workshops and cooking there is something for every taste. We recognise the importance of social interactions and development of new skills to contribute to the case management and growth process.

One on one sessions such as literacy support, budgeting and job applications are available on request or by referral from the case worker. Computer and internet access is provided regularly as part of the program to provide everything from maintaining links on social network sites, setting up e-mail accounts to learning the basics of Microsoft Office.

We encourage all our residents to get involved in community events and provide volunteering opportunities.

 

Specialist Services

St Bart’s works with the North Metro Drug and Alcohol Team who provide additional support through an addictions counsellor who attends on a weekly basis.

Those experiencing mental health issues can be referred to the mobile GP mental health nurse or through a Mobile Clinical Outreach team as part of Street to Home. Referrals to mainstream agencies are encouraged.

St Bart’s works with consulting Psychotherapists to offer this service for residents where appropriate.

A Podiatry service is available by request.

St Bart’s also works with Central Institute of Technology, Department of Health and Curtin University to access a mobile health team called ‘reach’ who provide general screening, health promotion education and advice to all residents.

Responsibilities of Residents;

Whilst staying with St Bart’s we expect a level of responsibility to be shown by all residents so everyone can enjoy living in a respectful, safe and positive environment.

Behaviour

All residents are expected to act in a respectful and considerate manner towards other residents and staff. Violent and aggressive behaviour will not be tolerated. Should you feel you have been treated unfairly or experienced this behaviour from another person whilst residing with St Bart’s we encourage residents to engage in the discussion process to allow us to work through any issues as they arise.

Drugs & Alcohol

We appreciate that some people may struggle to control use of alcohol or consumption of drugs and are keen to work with residents to address these issues. We can link residents in to our visiting addictions counsellor or refer to specialist agencies whilst discussing harm minimisation and strategies to aid progress. However we do state that Drug and alcohol use is not permitted on the premises of St Bart’s and if drugs and or alcohol are found on the premises this will result in a review of your accommodation. Residents are not permitted on site if they are intoxicated over 0.08. Staff carry breathalisers to ensure we can maintain the safety of residents and staff. Should a resident return intoxicated we will look to obtain a bed at the sobering up centre in Maylands, where possible. We are happy to discuss with residents following an incident the reasons behind the alcohol or drug use and discuss the consequences of their actions. The intention of this rule is to maintain a safe, healthy and pleasant environment for all that reside here.

Visitors

We understand how important it is to maintain social networks and relationships with friends and family so residents are welcome to have visitors to the House. Visitors are permitted between 8am and 7pm only and are the responsibility of the residents to ensure they are aware of and abide the rules of the house. Children are only allowed to visit in the ground floor communal area.

Smoking

Under the Health Regulations, smoking is only permitted outdoors in the designated areas. Should residents wish to cut down on smoking or are considering quitting for any reason we are able to provide one to one and group sessions to support this process. Please raise this with a support worker or case manager when entering the program.

Referrals

We accept self-referrals and walk-ins however we do encourage any prospective residents to call first and complete a telephone interview. This also gives us the opportunity to advise if there are any current vacancies and if we require any further documentation from health practitioners that we may require to be brought to the face to face interview.

A referral form must be completed for service users with a mental health diagnosis, returning from Hospital or with a specific high care need and are only accepted  during office hours, not on weekends or public holidays.

There is a waiting list for applicants with high support needs.

The referring service is required to complete a referral request form with the resident outlining the prospective Resident’s details and submit this by;

e-mail to : Coordinator.htss@stbarts.org.au

or/  fax to 08 92215677

Once the application has been received the coordinator will assess the prospective resident on their suitability for the accommodation. Should there be additional information or clarification required the coordinator may contact the referring agency.

Cost

A deposit of $20 is required to cover the cost of the key, linen and crockery provided.

 

 

	Crisis Room (inc 3 meals)	Transitional Room (Newstart)	Transitional Room (DSP/emplyed)
per night	$27.00	$20.50	$22.50
per week	$189.00	$143.50	$157.50
per fortnight	$378.00	$287.00	$315.00
Room holding *	$19.00	$19.00	$19.00

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

* for clients hospitalised for more than 7 days

The cost of crisis accommodation includes 3 meals a day and provision of basic toiletries and tea and coffee on arrival. The cost of transitional rooms is non inclusive of meals and residents are provided with utensils to self cater.

The rental fee component charged does not exceed 25% of either resident’s benefit income (excluding subsidies) or the market rent.

The service fee component charged for items such as food, electricity and water does not exceed the 75% GST – Free threshold.

Once you move into transitional accommodation you will be expected to show your ability to manage your funds by paying for your accommodation in advance, and it is recommended that you sign up to Centrepay.

Maintaining payment of rent is your responsibility and should you fall behind you will receive a warning letter to advise you to make an appointment to see the coordinator in order to establish a payment plan. Consistent failure to make payments may result in loss of accommodation.

Laundry for transitional residents costs $1 and washing powder can be purchased for 50 Cents.

 

Outreach Program

St Bart’s has an Outreach Support Program, offering clients who have found alternative accommodation with optional support once they have exited supported accommodation.

Settling into new accommodation, a new area and a new community can be quite daunting. Providing our clients with additional support while they take this huge step can help to ensure that the client continues on the right track, enabling them to reach their goals.

The Outreach Program can run for up to three months once the client has moved into new accommodation.

 

Contacts;

General enquiries -.	93235100
Accommodation & admission enquiries  (male only )	9323 5108
Fax number for prospective residents (male only)	92215677

 

 

Other programs in HTSS;

Bart’s at Ballajura

There are  two, four bedroom shared houses which offer transitional accommodation with low levels of support for those residents who have progressed through the initial crisis and transitional accommodation. Residents who have participated in case management and shown levels of responsibility whilst at the House will be offered the opportunity to reside in a community setting and receive outreach support for up to 12 months to provide additional time to locate appropriate long term accommodation in a more independent setting.

The houses are in residential areas and as it is still part of the transitional program residents are expected to participate in case management, cleaning rosters to maintain a clean house and refrain from using drugs or alcohol in the property. This is out of respect for the neighbourhood and those sharing the premises.

 

Street to Home

The Street to Home program is focused on supporting rough sleepers and those with complex needs. The program is made up of seven agencies who provide assertive outreach workers and housing support workers to link in and support those in need and enable them to obtain and sustain independent accommodation. Initial contact is through the Assertive outreach Teams who visits local areas where rough sleeping is common. After around 3 months of working with a client they then introduce the Housing Support worker to take them on the rest of the journey. St Bart’s Housing Support Workers collaborate with the Assertive Outreach Worker to develop case management plans that assist clients to secure and maintain accommodation.

Eligibility-

·         Identify with multiple issues impacting on situation of homelessness

·         Rough sleeping and linked to assertive outreach team or,

·         Rough sleeping and entering St Bart’s crisis and transitional accommodation

·         Willing to engage for 6 month period.

Housing Support Workers source adequate accommodation for clients, supporting them each step of the way. They work with residents for approximately 6 months, supporting them in many aspects of day to day living and covering a myriad of supplied services, addressing each individual’s unique and complex needs.

 

Bart’s on Tuart

We provide a community based family supported accommodation service for small families and single parents who require low levels of support. Accommodation is available for up to 12 months, during which time a case worker is available to support parents to create community networks, tackle individual issues and seek appropriate long term accommodation. There are 7x  two bedroom, fully furnished and self contained  units offering transitional accommodation. This is not crisis accommodation and there is a waiting list for vacancies.

Eligibility –

·         Referrals can be submitted by the DCP officer involved with the family.

·         Individual referrals will be considered.

For enquiries contact Michala, Coordinator HTSS –Family & Communities

Accommodation enquiries for families and Street to Home

93235177

 

‘A Good Life’ Project

Funded by Department for communities to provide an intensive support program to people experiencing long term homelessness. The program aims to provide intervention and prevention approaches to address those who are unable to break the cycle of homelessness.

Target group: There are many people who cycle in an out of the homeless services within the Perth area and become regular faces but are being failed by the current system we have. We hope to use the flexibility and value added from providing that person with a consistent case worker who will continue support them regardless of whether they move from one accommodation service provider to another.

Eligibility –

·         Register as priority on VI index

·         Homeless for 3 years or more

·         Cycled in and out of accommodations services

·         Male or female, over 18

Assistance is offered in the form of advocacy, referrals, joint case management, strengths based practice, emotional support and practical support.  This is not an accommodation program.

For enquiries please contact Shona , Project Coordinator,  on 9323 5185