An Aboriginal male client had long-term alcohol and heroin dependence and was sleeping rough in the inner city for approximately three years before engaging with HATSOS.
He had been referred to the HATSOS team by his local doctor after starting a methadone program and counselling. He was studying at TAFE, and also has a young daughter and was therefore keen to find housing so she could visit him.
The HATSOS staff helped him access suitable boarding house accommodation while other long-term housing options were investigated. The staff maintained daily contact for the first three weeks by visiting him in his room during the evening. They also assisted him to build a routine into his day-to-day living and offered other practical assistance and support.
Long-term community and public housing options were discussed with him and essential documents were organised. A property was agreed upon and he was assisted with furniture and other household items through the team’s access to brokerage funding.
After moving in, he was visited weekly by HATSOS staff in his new home. They found him settled and content and he did not request further help. His family had also visited him on two occasions, and he had recommenced volunteer work which he had previously been doing.