ATTACHMENT D
CAMPERDOWN PROJECT – CONCEPT
FOR THE DEVELOPMENT OF THE
SUPPORT SERVICES DELIVERY MODEL
Camperdown Project - Common Ground Model and concept for
development of the Support Services Delivery Model
Housing NSW is leading the development of a purpose built building in Camperdown in Sydney to accommodate previously homeless people and people on low to moderate incomes in need of affordable housing in the inner city of Sydney.
The project will be developed on Housing NSW owned land in a precinct bounded by Pyrmont Bridge Road, Lyons Road, Layton Street and Lambert Street, Camperdown. The site currently includes a 10-storey winged residential building known as Johanna O’Dea Court on the eastern portion of the site and on the west are heritage listed Alexandra Terraces with a vacant open space in between.
The Camperdown Project is a model of integrated supported social housing in a purpose built building, with on site support services. It is based on the successful “Common Ground” model from New York.
Rationale for the Project
The Camperdown Project has been initiated:
o as part of a coordinated government response to homelessness and the commitment to reduce rough sleepers by 25% by the year 2013
o to respond to the level of homelessness and rough sleeping in the inner city of Sydney o to promote a model of ‘street to home’ accommodation coupled with support services
Aim
To end homelessness for people who have previously been chronically homeless rough sleepers in the inner city of Sydney and to provide socially integrated housing for both formerly chronically homeless people and people on low to moderate incomes.
Objectives
1. To develop a project consistent with the principles of a common ground approach to supported housing.
2. To construct a purpose built building comprising 104 units of accommodation and space for on site tenancy management and support services.
3. To provide previously homeless people with safe, stable, permanent accommodation and support services to enable them to sustain their tenancies.
4. To achieve a social mix in the building by accommodating previously homeless people and people on low to moderate incomes.
5. To maximise opportunities for tenants to become reconnected with the mainstream community in order to build capacity and improve wellbeing.
6. To adopt a coordinated and integrated “whole of site” approach to tenancy and issues management to ensure consistent tenancy management for all social housing tenants on the site.
7. To build partnerships with Government agencies and the non government and corporate sectors to achieve social inclusion.
The Camperdown Project is one response to homelessness and will complement the existing homelessness and mainstream service delivery system in inner city Sydney. The project will focus on preventative action and provide long-term and sustainable accommodation solutions for previously homeless people and people on low to moderate incomes in need of affordable housing in the inner city of Sydney. The success of the
project is dependent on a number of factors including partnerships between Government agencies, non-government organisations and the corporate sector.
Alignment with the Common Ground Model
The Camperdown Project will adopt a number of key features and characteristics including those which align with the Common Ground model. The characteristics of a common ground model are:
Permanent housing – where people are provided with a permanent home rather than
crisis or transitional housing
Social mix in the building – integrated social housing with people who were previously
homeless living in the same building as people who are on low to moderate incomes
Safety and security for tenants – a 24hr concierge/caretaker role who can provide
security and can keep an eye on what is happening in the building and with tenants
Provision of support services – on site support services are an integral part to the model
to ensure people are supported to be able to maintain their tenancies
Building a sense of community for tenants – making sure that tenants have the
opportunity participate in the community where they live.
Separation of tenancy management and Support service provision – to ensure clear
roles and functions of the property and tenancy management team to those of support services that have case management plans and provide support to residents
The project will be undertaken in two phases
Phase 1 - development and construction of a purpose built building and concurrent
development of the support services and tenancy management model – September 2009 to
early 2011.
Phase 2 - project implementation, including ongoing tenancy management and provision of
on site support services to tenants. Commencing mid 2011.
Key features of the Project
Key element Description/Comment
Target Group focus on homeless people who are sleeping rough in the CBD with a variety of needs, including those with complex needs single men and women and some couples
Social Mix of residents
the accommodation will incorporate rough sleepers with a range of needs as well as people on low to moderate incomes in need of affordable housing including students.
Building Design -Accommodation
proposed design includes 104 units – 88 studios and 12 one bedroom apartments and 4 two bedroom apartments
all apartments with own kitchenette, bathroom and balcony Building Design
-Common Areas
breakout area on each floor to enable social interaction between tenants
ground floor area includes adequate space for:
a common area for socialising amongst building tenants office space for tenancy management, support services and
visiting clinicians
space to hold training sessions and workshops etc space for concierge
space for a commercial/social enterprise Building Design
-General
the common ground model promotes one main entry to the building rather than separate entries for different tenants
the building will be fully accessible for people with mobility impairments with all apartments 100% universal design
a central void will provide for natural sunlight and ventilation design considers security and safety of residents
high environmental star rating of at least 5 stars
outside space designed as a social space and can be used for the development of a community garden
rooftop able to be utilised as a social space and development of a garden
Support Services controlled access to the building and a full time concierge – 24/7 staffing to ensure safety and security using concierge service and other security measures to ensure that residents interests are protected
some support services available to tenants of the Camperdown Project and the community – including other tenants on site services to be tailored to the individual needs of tenants
dedicated space for a social enterprise on site to employ tenants and provide learning, employment and training opportunities
Integration with the local community
provide an opportunity to increase the vitality of the local area, facilitate and link into existing community development activities
to encourage integration within the local community Partnerships with
key Govt agencies
services delivered by both government and non-government agencies
some services provided are available to the wider community Housing Provider the project will be managed by a registered community housing
provider which has:
a strong commitment to the common ground approach experience/success in delivering social housing to people
with complex needs
capacity to leverage funds from other sources
Support Services Development
Support Services Development Group (SSDG) established early in 2010 A Cross agency group comprising: Housing NSW; NSW Health; Community Services; Ageing Disability and Home Care; Common Ground Advisory Group; City of Sydney Homelessness Unit; MA Housing.
Group established to
- Provide expert advice to inform the development of a Support Services Model that aligns with the Camperdown Project’s aims and objectives including the Common Ground characteristics;
- Identify and recommend the most effective communication and consultation strategies which will facilitate stakeholder input into the development of the support services model; and
- Identify strategic and operational issues that may impact on the effective implementation of the support services model, and make recommendations which will respond to these.
Camperdown Project OPERATIONAL MODEL CONCIERGE TENANCY MANAGEMENT PROPERTY MANAGEMENT SOCIAL
ENTERPRISE WHOLE OF SITEAPPROACH
Includes:
_Integrated tenancy management and tenant participation _Community development _Access to services SUPPORT SERVICES DELIVERY
ATTACHMENT D
The SSDG will link into the other groups as appropriate to ensure a coordinated and efficient approach.
Key considerations and underpinning principles for the SSDG:
Recognition of the Project linkages with the Assertive Outreach Service Inner City and other the inner city homelessness and mainstream service system
Acknowledge and consider the interdependencies of the Project components (building, tenancy management, support services model, concierge) and that these will be developed in partnership and in consultation with stakeholders;
Utilise evidence and best practice in developing Supportive Housing including learnings from other Common Ground Models.
The Project is:
o being developed in the context of broader policy and funding environments and planned reforms;
o a key component and response to addressing homelessness in the inner city; o forms an integral part of an existing service system – a system which will be
changing in line with new directions and new evidence about solving homelessness.
Defining the Scope of the Support Services Model and the SSDG
Whilst taking a whole of site approach to the development of support services model the SSDG will not be responsible for developing the following Project components, as these will be developed through separate groups, which will also report to the PCG:
o The building and landscaping;
o The Tenancy and Property Management Model; o The Concierge Model;
o The Social Enterprise.
o whole of site support services delivery - includes consideration of services that may be accessed by non Camperdown Project residents. Eg. Johanna O’Dea tenants and Alexandra terraces residents
o the most effective use of the space in the Camperdown Project building including use of therapeutic rooms; use of support services space and the linkages with other available space
o Definition of support services model includes support for all residents which will achieve the project aim and objectives, and acknowledges there are different levels of support, including:
o support linked to specific eligibility within the social mix for the Camperdown project and the whole of the site;
o support that is “quarantined” and only accessible to residents who were previously chronically homeless and may have formal packages of support attached to specific funding programs and eligibility – eg. A Place To Call Home
or HASI;
o support for social housing residents in the Camperdown Project building only and that is provided through specific funding programs eg. support and services that are not ‘quarantined’ and are accessible for all tenants on the site, contingent on meeting eligibility for the service, eg. Priority or eligibility may require service users to be social housing tenants;
o Supports and services that may be open to the wider community.
Stakeholders who will be invited to provide input into the Support Services delivery model, and other components of the Operational Model:
Ageing Disability and Home Care City of Sydney – Homelessness Unit
Common Ground Advisory Group Sydney Common Ground Alliance
Community Services Corrective Services Design Out Crime – UTS
Forest Lodge and Glebe Coordination Group Haymarket Foundation
Homeground Services – Victoria re Common Ground Project in Melbourne Homelessness NSW
Housing NSW – various staff with expertise in housing policy, homelessness and supportive housing programs
Johanna O’Dea and Alexandra Dwellings Advocacy Group Juvenile Justice
Mission Australia Housing NAEMI
NCOSS
Newtown Neighbourhood Centre NSW Health
NSW Trustee and Guardian
People with Disabilities (PWD – Peak)
Police – Camperdown and Newtown Local Area Command Royal Prince Alfred Hospital - RPA
Salvation Army Shelter NSW St Vincent De Paul St Vincents Mental Health TAFE NSW
Tenant Participation Resource Service The Brain/Mind Institute
The Glebe Community Development Project, UNSW The Glebe Society
Wesley Mission
Women and Girls Emergency Centre Youth Accommodation Association
