The Transitional Accommodation Program provides affordable short term accommodation for Aboriginal people from remote communities and regional centres in South Australia.

The SA Housing Trust has two transitional accommodation centres:

  • Lakeview, Port Augusta
  • Wangka Wilurrara, Ceduna.

Customers or referring agencies can request accommodation by phone or at a centre.

Eligibility

Customers are eligible if they meet all of the below conditions:

  • are Aboriginal or Torres Strait Islander
  • have an independent income
  • have a need for temporary accommodation for a short term stay
  • have a normal place of residence to return to.

Customers aren't eligible if they:

  • have been temporarily removed from a centre in the last 24 hours
  • are subject to an intervention order which prevents them from staying at the centre
  • are adversely affected by alcohol or illicit drugs
  • are in possession of alcohol or illicit drugs
  • have current bail conditions to an alternative property.

Customers can't be bailed to a transitional accommodation centre.

Centre staff may refuse a customer request to stay if they have been previously removed from a transitional accommodation centre.

Children

Children who receive an independent income are eligible to stay at the centre without parent or guardian supervision.

All other children must be:

  • accompanied by a parent or guardian at all times
  • fully dressed when in public areas.

Staying at the centres

All people who stay at the centres are:

  • treated in a respectful and dignified manner
  • offered culturally appropriate and safe accommodation
  • offered access to appropriate health and support services
  • offered support to return to their home, or community, if they wish to do so.

The Program Coordinator and customer agree on the length of stay up to a maximum 4 weeks.

The centres don't allow:

  • alcohol, drugs or smoking
  • being under the influence of alcohol or drugs
  • animals
  • anti-social or violent behaviour towards other customers or staff.

Customers are responsible for:

  • keeping their allocated units and communal areas clean and tidy
  • reporting any damage or maintenance requests to staff
  • telling staff it they are leaving, or will be temporarily away from the centre
  • engaging with the internal and external support services.

Accommodation types

Lakeview and Wangka Wilurrara offer units and independent living units. Each accommodation type caters for one family group or no more than 4 adults.

Fees and services

Fees are based on the type of accommodation and a daily fee covers both accommodation and meals. Customers must arrange to pay the fee through the Rent Deduction Scheme or a similar deduction payment method. For example, directly from their wages.

All customers are provided with appropriate linen and bedding for the duration of their stay. Basic kitchen facilities are available for use by all customers.

Inspections

Staff inspect the living areas at least once a day to:

  • check the accommodation is being kept clean and tidy
  • check for any property damage
  • check all fire alarms are working, and for other health and safety issues such as broken windows
  • try to see all children aged 5 and under or ask about their whereabouts and wellbeing if they can't see them.

Removing customers

Customers are issued with a warning, or immediately removed from the centre, if they engage in behaviour that isn't allowed in the centre. For example, they are under the influence of alcohol or drugs, behaving in a threatening or aggressive manner.

Customers can be removed for a minimum of 24 hours or longer, at the Program Coordinator's discretion.

Customers who are not engaging with internal or external support services will also be requested to leave the centre.

Related information

Controlling documents

This policy is based on and complies with:

Supporting documents

  • Transitional accommodation program procedures v 2.0

Related documents and resources

Date this policy applies from

3 February 2025

Version number

2

The online version of the policy is the approved and current version. There is no guarantee that any printed copies are current.