Evaluation of the Severe Domestic Squalor Project: Evaluation Plan

Abstract

This Project has three primary objectives. First, the Project aims to facilitate assessment and support for people who are living in squalor. The assessment and support functions can include buying in cleaning resources, assistance with living skills, counselling, and other social support services to help clients to maintain their living environments. Second, the Project will implement the guidelines for field staff to assist people living in squalor. In order to prevent relapses into squalid conditions and to foster sustainable solutions, the project will develop partnerships with existing community agencies to coordinate responses to each situation. The third and final aim of the Domestic Squalor Project is to educate the community and gatekeepers (such as postal workers and meals on wheels) about how to respond when they come across situations of squalor. The Project operates an advisory service through a 1800 squalor hotline, which acts as a single point of access to staff and the general public to make enquires and referrals for people who are living in situations of severe domestic squalor. Project staff will prioritise people whose behaviour represents the greatest risk of harm to themselves, their carers, and/or the community.