As part of the comprehensive $24.2 million package of reforms announced in November 2022 to support people rough sleeping, Communities has partnered with Housing Choices WA to implement the Djuripiny Mia Supportive Landlord Model, delivering 100 homes for vulnerable and complex individuals experiencing homelessness.
As at March 2024, the Djuripiny Mia program is delivering positive outcomes for people who have experienced rough sleeping, actively supporting 123 individuals (83 adults and 39 children) that are within 63 households in the Perth Metropolitan, Peel and Southwest regions.
Through expansion of the pilot, Communities is spot purchasing an additional 50 properties and these are being prioritised for people who have experienced prolonged homelessness.
The supportive landlord model is a natural complement to Housing First principles and services. The premise of the Model is that housing providers, as landlords, play a pivotal role in sustaining tenancies as they are the final decision makers on sustaining or ending a tenancy.
Supportive landlords prioritise focussing on sustaining housing for complex tenancies, and connecting people with wrap around supports services. This model considers the individual and community wellbeing over commercial risk and works closely with support providers to build individual capacity and positive futures.
The Supportive Landlord Model (the Model) was successfully piloted through a partnership with Communities and Housing Choices WA in Bunbury. The pilot was initially established to test the effectiveness of the model for homelessness following its long term success in Mental Health Independent Living Program which assists people with severe and persistent mental health issues find and sustain housing.
