HSS orientation session
Accommodation Services
During the 2012-2013 financial year, the HSS Accommodation Team facilitated short term and long term accommodation to all HSS clients referred from DIAC. Housing ACT continued to maintain its stock of houses provided to MARSS under the Refugee Transitional Housing Program (RTHP), through which HSS clients were provided transitional short term accommodation until affordable/suitable long term accommodation was sourced. Additionally, Housing ACT also provided MARSS with access to a former youth hostel, which the MARSS staff worked hard to convert into accommodation for single male clients referred to the HSS program. The facility dubbed the Waramanga Project can house up to 14 clients.
Recreation room at MARSS property
 
Interior of Waramanga project
Furthermore, MARSS also established several MOUs with mainstream accommodation providers such as Havelock Housing Association and even the Rahula Lodge, to accommodate HSS clients.
A key initiative of the HSS program during the 2012 – 2013 financial year was the launch of the Investors Can Help program in September 2012. The new initiative encourages benevolent homeowners and investors to rent their homes to newly arrived refugees. The program has been very well received by the Canberra community with inquiries being made by over 25 individuals wanting to rent their homes. MARSS has secured around five properties for HSS clients through this initiative. Investors Can Help is a combined effort of MARSS, The ACT Chamber of Commerce and The Real Estate Institute of the ACT (REIACT).
Local Area Coordination (LAC) meetings
During the 2012 – 2013 financial year, a total of four LAC meetings were held including one in Goulburn. The meetings which have been formatted differently, now feature presentations from key stakeholders involved in delivering services to HSS clients (such as Centrelink, Care Financial etc.). These meetings continue to be great platforms for the HSS team to increase their knowledge about services available for HSS clients.
Volunteer program
The services delivered through the HSS program could not be possible without a dedicated team of volunteers who assist in the overall settlement of HSS clients. 97 volunteers are currently registered with the HSS program and have assisted HSS Case Workers to develop clients’ self-sufficiency and independence and promote their social inclusion. Volunteers are an integral part of the HSS program and assist with a range of tasks including (but not limited to) shopping for client arrivals, ensuring on arrival properties are homely and welcoming, helping clients with appointments and understanding where things are in their local area, showing clients how to use public transport, and being a general social support for clients
 
HSS Volunteer and Case worker preparing for clients arrival
HSS Volunteers attending a training session.
The 2012-2013 financial year has been an extremely successful year for the HSS team at MARSS. The HSS team looks forward to welcoming more humanitarian entrants in the ACT and surrounds in the coming year and assisting them to settle in their new home.
 
  
Left to right : Alison Willard HSS Case Management – Manager, Warren Jansen HSS Accommodation - Manager
Settlement Grants Program Report
This project is funded by the Department of Immigration and Citizenship
Figure Senator Lundy awarded the ladies of the Arts and Craft class their 'sewing licenses' on International Women's Day.
The Settlement Grants Program (SGP) assists migrants, refugees and humanitarian entrants in the ACT to achieve sustainable settlement outcomes. This is achieved through the provision of flexible, client centred casework, appropriate referrals to community and mainstream public sector service providers and settlement focused group information sessions. The program also includes community development, social participation and other activities.
Some of the challenging areas of settlement for clients include accommodation, employment, finances and household management, education and training, income support and many other related issues. Clients are from a variety of backgrounds and ages. Caseworkers within SGP also perform a great deal of advocacy on behalf of clients, with independence and settlement the ultimate goal.
The Settlement Grants Program for 2012-2013 can be categorised in the following way:
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Casework
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Information Sessions
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Outreach
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Community Development and Consultations
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Engagement and Events and Celebrations
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