Housing and Support Program (HASP): Final Evaluation Report

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Section 4 The process of providing clinical, non-clinical
and housing services to clients
Housing — essential for recovery
There was a perception among those interviewed that
stable housing formed a key element of the recovery
process. Most believed that housing provided stability
and had far greater implications than simply providing
a roof over one’s head:
I don’t think people realise how much
accommodation changes your life. I’d still be using
speed if I didn’t have this house, it’s changed my
life. Just having responsibility and just the good
feeling of coming home, and you’ve got a nice house
to come home to and, you’re not behind in your
rent, or, stuff like that, it’s massive, a lot of people
take it for granted…I was on and off the streets
for eight years.
40-year-old male consumer
When I got the HASP package I was so happy, I got
a brand new property and I’ve got it for 10 years,
and 10 years after that, I asked housing. I don’t
know where I’d be if I hadn’t got this, it came at the
right time – I got out of hospital, ready to get a job.
34-year-old female consumer
A sense of ‘home’
Almost all of the clients interviewed indicated that
they felt their new accommodation in the community
was ‘home’:
Yes, I consider this to be my home now.
51-year-old male
Yeh, I feel at home with myself and my cat and my
painting. Sometimes the neighbours get a bit agro,
not with me, but with each other.
46-year-old female consumer
Two clients suggested that it was home only for the
short-term, and these clients indicated that the home
in which they grew up, and which was still owned by
a family member (usually a parent) would always be
their ‘real’ home.
Final Evaluation Report
A sense of freedom
There was also agreement among those interviewed
that they could do ‘their own thing’ in their new home
in the community. The responses are further indication
of positive adaptation — indicating that clients
perceive themselves as having real choices available
to them in the community:
Yes, I can do what I want to do, because I want to,
not because I have to.
24-year-old male consumer
…moving to this house has been the best thing that
has ever happened to me, I feel independent and
free, and even though I’ve got the support workers,
I can go outside and do my garden, I can mow my
own lawn now… everything has just fallen so well
into place. But yes, so moving into this house, it’s
just like being given some other second chance.
I haven’t been back to hospital since 2006, so that’s
good, and [my psychiatrist] said to me that I might
not have to go to hospital again.
55-year-old female consumer
While some clients acknowledged their freedom, they
also expressed reservations about the responsibilities
associated with independent living, including an
acknowledged respect for property –
You can do what you want to a point — you don’t
go wrecking the place or anything.