The Housing Support for the Aged (HAS) program aims to improve the health and wellbeing of older people with unmet support needs who are entering direct tenure public housing. The program targets people 50 years and over who have unmet needs associated with conditions such as frailty, mental illness, alcohol and substance abuse and/or chronic health problems. The target group are commonly socially isolated with histories of homelessness or insecure housing.

The program provides case managed outreach support and packages of care to clients requiring:

• Low level monitoring of their health & wellbeing
• Support to maintain stable tenancy arrangements and access services
• Assistance with maintaining basic levels of self and home care

Given the nature and characteristics of the client group a flexible individualised response is indicated. Clients may have a range of care and support needs including assistance with banking, shopping, the provision of meals, social support, making and getting to appointments and prompting to shower. These needs may be met in a range of ways including:

• Direct assistance by HSA case manager/support worker
• Referral to specialist and/or mainstream services, particularly HACC funded programs
• The purchase or provision of services through the use of Flexible Care Funds

It is envisaged the program will not target people who require high levels of personal care assistance.