About SAHSSI

SAHSSI is a not for profit organisation providing social services in the Illawarra Shoalhaven.

In October 2014, Wollongong and Warilla Women’s Refuges merged to create Supported Accommodation and Homelessness Services Shoalhaven Illawarra (SAHSSI).

SAHSSI has over 30 years of continuous experience, primarily working with women, with or without children, affected by homelessness or domestic and family violence.  We also provide services to men with family and relationship issues under targeted programs.

We are constantly seeking innovative strategies that will enable us to provide a clear and effective pathway for those using our services to live healthy, connected and productive lives in secure, long term accommodation.

SAHSSI is an Incorporated Association.  Ultimate responsibility for the governance of the organisation rests with our management committee, comprised of individuals reflecting a skilled and diverse cultural mix relevant to our organisation’s local needs.

SAHSSI is also a registered charity with the Australian Charities and Not-for-profits Commission (ACNC), and a Registered Community Housing Provider.

Our Core Funding

• Specialist Homelessness Service (SHS) Funding – provided by FaCS, Department of Community Services
• Corrective Services Partner Support Funding (PS)  – provided by Community Services NSW. This is a service provided under the victim’s support stream of the Funded Partnership Initiative.
• Domestic Violence Response Enhancement Funding (DVRE) – provided by FaCS, Department of Community Services
• Joint Rent Choice Start Safely Pilot Program FaCs Housing NSW – provided by FaCS, Department of Community Services

Vision

A world where all people live safely, independently and free from abuse.

Our Purpose

SAHSSI provides housing and access to related, relevant services to people in the Illawarra Shoalhaven district, especially those women and their children affected by domestic and family violence.  We work with all partners of excellence to assist our clients to achieve their goals.

Our Values

Self Determination – Ensuring those who use our services are able to make pro-active and positive independent decisions and have control of their lives.

Respect – We show consideration for the rights, diversity, and differences between people.

Dignity – We value the worth and the value of all people.

Integrity – We are honest in what we say and do and adhere to our agreed moral principles.

Equity – We treat others with justice and fairness

Compassion – We understand and provide support for those experiencing suffering and challenges.

Accessibility to our services:

Our head office is located at Level 1, 63a Market St Wollongong, with management, finance and administration, a centralised intake and referral service and a skilled trauma-informed outreach case management team.

It is accessible by public transport. We have a client interview room with computers and printers for meetings with case managers (help with online applications, rental seeking etc.).  This head office is not wheelchair accessible and as we are on level 1, clients who are unable to manage steps will be responded to via our outreach case management services – we will meet the client at any safe location that suits their needs.

Our temporary accommodation sites in Illawarra and Shoalhaven have wheelchair access. Two out of three women’s crisis accommodation in the Illawarra and Shoalhaven also have wheelchair access.

SAHSSI staff can assist with advocating for appropriate Translating and Interpreting Services to meet the client’s needs.  Or clients can contact us through the Translating and Interpreting Service (TIS) on 131 450.

If you are deaf or have a hearing or speech impairment, we can be contacted through the National Relay Service. For more information, visit: www.relayservice.gov.au

Transitional Housing

Transitional housing is a form of social housing assistance for people who are homeless or at risk of homelessness. The transitional accommodation offered by SAHSSI is targeted for single women and women with children. 

Clients in these properties sign a lease under the Residential Tenancies Act and are entitled to a subsidised rent according to their household income. SAHSSI is currently responsible for the management of 38 transitional properties in the Illawarra and has access to 7 properties in the Shoalhaven.

SAHSSI also has partnerships with local Community Housing Providers, such as Housing Trust to increase our transitional housing options. As transitional housing is not long-term housing, it is accompanied by support from a SAHSSI Outreach Case Manager who will support the tenant to stabilise their circumstances and move on to more appropriate long term housing

Crisis Accommodation

SAHSSI has two women’s refuge services in the Illawarra and one in the Shoalhaven.  Our crisis accommodation support services are accompanied by onsite case managers, that provide 9am – 5pm intensive case management support to women with or without children who are homeless and in a crisis situation such as escaping domestic violence. Supported accommodation is up to 6 weeks.  Upon exiting, this support can be linked to SAHSSI’s transitional housing and outreach case management support.

Temporary Accommodation for women escaping domestic and family violence and their children

SAHSSI owns a temporary accommodation support facility in the Illawarra and manages another in the Shoalhaven.  Women who are fleeing domestic and family violence can access this service (for up to 28 days).  Assessment is completed for suitability in line with Family and Community Services – Housing NSW temporary accommodation policies.  Front line responders to domestic and family violence such as NSW Police or Accident and Emergencies can refer women to this service 24hours a day, 7 days a week. Upon exiting, this support can be linked to SAHSSI’s crisis accommodation, transitional housing, and outreach case management support.

Support We Provide:

Case Management – SAHSSI has over 25 skilled trauma-informed and specialist Case Managers.

All of the support that SAHSSI provides (such as crisis accommodation, transitional housing or temporary accommodation does or can link to case management support).

SAHSSI’s Case Manager will help clients to develop personal case plans, which will assist in achieving their goals. The Case Manager works in collaboration with the client to identify strengths, respond to issues and work towards strategic and action based goals.

SAHSSI’s case management can include:

• Early intervention/prevention – outreach support to people with tenancies at risk (including tenancies at risk due to the impacts of domestic and family violence)
• Rapid Rehousing – for people with low-level needs (0-3 months’ case management support). Assessment is completed for suitability.
• Complex Clients – Clients who have multiple identified issues, such as Alcohol and Drug, Mental Health, Physical Health, Disability (up to 12-18months support)
• Corrective Services – support, if desired, for female partners of domestic violence perpetrators who are attending the CSNSW Domestic Abuse (DAP) program.
• Safety Planning – information and advice can also include linking you with NSW Police domestic and violence liaison officers, safety audits in the home, resources on digital and tech safety planning, referrals for financial support for safety devices (Victim Services or Corrective Services), referral to Staying Home Leaving Violence program

Case Coordination

In addition to structured case management, SAHSSI also provides case coordination services:

• Information and Advice for people with low-level needs that require information and referral to another service that suits their needs (including out of area), assistance with forms, immediate intervention/advocacy support or advice and information regarding housing options or other social support options.
• Referral and Partnership links with specialist services, e.g. counselling, child therapy, legal, financial, child protection, police, health, cultural services, and education.
• 24/7 Crisis Response from trauma-informed case management staff who are rostered to take calls 24hours a day, 7 days a week, mostly from front-line responders to domestic and family violence such as NSW Police or Accident and Emergencies. This response can include safety planning (where a perpetrator has been removed from the home) or emergency supply of food vouchers and toiletries to women at selected safe locations across the District.