What is SAAP?
The Supported Accommodation Assistance Program (SAAP) aims to provide transitional supported accommodation and related support services to help people who are homeless to achieve the maximum possible degree of self-reliance and independence (SAAP Act, 1994).
It was established in 1985 as a joint Commonwealth, State and Territory initiative. There have been four 5-year agreements and the fifth Agreement; SAAP V extends from 2005 - 2010.
Northern Territory Administration
The SAAP program in the Northern Territory is administered by the Department's Family and Children's Services (FACS) branch.
There are 36 SAAP Service Providers in the Northern Territory. Many offer support such as counselling, advocacy, community education, information and referral assistance. Accommodation ranges from short-term crisis accommodation for women and children escaping domestic and family violence, to long-term accommodation and support for homeless men or families in crisis.
SAAP Agreements
SAAP V is managed under a Multilateral Agreement (an agreement between all States and Territories and the Australian Government) and Bilateral Agreements signed between individual States and Territories and the Australian Government.
SAAP V Priorities under the Multilateral Agreement
- Increase involvement in early intervention and prevention activities
- Provide better assistance to people who have a number of support needs
- Provide ongoing assistance to ensure stability for clients post crisis
Northern Territory SAAP V Priorities under the Bilateral Agreement
- Focus on integrated family violence models of intervention and prevention in remote Aboriginal Communities linked to the Overarching Agreement on Indigenous Affairs between the Commonwealth of Australia and the Northern Territory of Australia 2005-2010
- Focus on interventions for children in SAAP
- Focus on interventions for households at risk of being homeless through early intervention and post crisis support, and
- Focus on the continual improvement of linkages between SAAP and other service systems eg: FACS, Police, Territory Housing, Community Harmony, Mental Health and Alcohol and other Drugs services and Commonwealth programs.
SAAP Data
- All funded SAAP agencies participate in the National Data Collection (NDCA) for providing data and information on the clients they support. This information can be found at the Australian Institute of Health and Welfare .
- Specific State/Territory NDCA reports can be found here .