What factors impact on people’s capacity to maintain long-term tenancies? Did the SAAP experience help them?

What factors impact on people’s capacity to maintain long-term tenancies? Did the SAAP experience help them? Report

  • Author(s): Bill Healy, Martin Ryan, Noel Renouf,, Lisa Wright, Emma Shaw, Ian Gough, Natascha Boutlis, Rob Sago
  • Published: 2005
  • Publisher: Australian Government Department of Family and Community Service

Abstract: The title of this project is, “What factors impact on peoples’ capacity to maintain long term tenancies – Did the SAAP experience help them?” The particular interest and focus of the project has been gathering consumers’ views through in-depth interviews about what they believe to be the factors that have helped them to maintain secure housing. The rationale for this approach derives from the observation that much of the relevant literature tends to focus on the causes of homelessness, is generally survey based and as a result tends to underplay the voice of the people who have sustained some success in maintaining secure housing. Furthermore it is anticipated that the results will also add qualitative depth to the data, which is currently routinely collected at a national level from SAAP agencies. The impetus for the project came from Merri Outreach Support Service (MOSS) and that agencies belief that sustainability is a key issue when addressing issues relating to homelessness. The research oversight was provided by staff of the School of Social Work and Social Policy Health and Mental Health Research Group. Two final year social work students, Lisa Wright and Emma Shaw, were employed by MOSS to carry out the fieldwork for the project. The issues that underpin this project reflect a number of concerns held by SAAP workers and others about the substantial difficulties of people experiencing, or at risk of experiencing, homelessness to not only obtain but also even more significantly maintain secure, appropriate housing. Clearly stable housing is a critical factor for people at risk of homelessness in building a sense of personal adequacy. Safe, secure tenancies act as a buffer against some of the worst consequences of a limited income and are vital to maintaining access to important support networks and community resources. Without such a base people are likely to find themselves increasingly marginalised with all of the associated vulnerabilities and risks.

Notes: A joint research project between: Merri Outreach Support Service and La Trobe University School of Social Work and Social Policy.

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Suggested Citation
Bill Healy, Martin Ryan, Noel Renouf,, Lisa Wright, Emma Shaw, Ian Gough, Natascha Boutlis, Rob Sago, 2005, What factors impact on people’s capacity to maintain long-term tenancies? Did the SAAP experience help them?, Report, viewed 10 February 2025, https://www.nintione.com.au/?p=4267.

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