Pact works in partnership with our clients, the local Office of Housing (OoH) and social housing providers to improve housing outcomes for applicants and tenants.
Services can include:
- Negotiations with OoH, Aboriginal Housing Victoria and other social housing landlords
- Information provision
- Referral to other support agencies and services
- Representation and direct assistance at Victorian Civil and Administrative Tribunal (VCAT)
- Support and assistance to tenants self-representing at VCAT
- Financial advocacy and emergency assistance
Our qualified and experienced team work directly with our clients to improve housing outcomes through early-intervention and integrated service delivery. Professional case practice standards, our team approach and reflective case practice are key elements of our work.
There are four support sub-programs:
- Establish Successful Tenancies (EST) provides case support for tenants, who have a high risk of tenancy failure. The support period is 20 weeks and may be available up to 20 weeks after a tenancy has commenced. At the end of the initial support period, support may be extended if the tenancy is considered to be at risk.
- Intervention Tenancies at Risk (ITAR) (also known as “Intervention At-risk Tenancies” (IART)) provides case support intervention where a tenancy is breaking down, to resolve factors placing the tenancy at risk. This case support period is usually for up to eight (8) weeks dependent upon intensity of support.
- Advocacy assists tenants experiencing major difficulties and who are unable to advocate on their own behalf in their dealings with the OoH or their social housing landlord. Client issues may include rent arrears, VCAT assistance, anti-social behaviour, debts, repairs and disability-modification assistance.
- Assistance to Early Housing Applicants supports OoH housing applicants (who are not homeless or receiving support from another program) in establishing eligibility when this requires advocacy and support.