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Assistance with Care and Housing for the Aged
- How can the Assistance with Care and Housing for the Aged (AHCA) program help you?
- Eligibility
- What services are provided?
- Who provides the assistance?
- Cost
- Rights and responsibilities
- How to make a complaint
- Want more information?
How can the AHCA program help you?
The Assistance with Care and Housing for the Aged (ACHA) program is designed to help frail, low income older people who are renting, in insecure housing or who are homeless, to remain in the community. If you, or the person you are caring for, is in this situation then support can be given through help with accessing the right kind of housing and community care specific to your needs.Eligibility
You may be eligible for ACHA if you are a frail older person with support needs:- in rental accommodation
- in insecure accommodation, or
- who is homeless.
What services are provided through ACHA?
This flexible program is intended to ensure that your needs are met in the most appropriate way. The type of assistance provided for ACHA clients varies to suit the needs of the individual.ACHA providers work with state government housing authorities to assist eligible clients to obtain better, more stable accommodation. Once this is organised, the client is linked to appropriate community care services.
ACHA can assist linking you to housing services by:
- assisting you to find appropriate accommodation, providing advice on housing application forms and coordinating the move, and
- assisting you to access accommodation related financial or legal assistance, for example: rent relief, bond assistance, tenancy advice and legal services.
ACHA can assist linking you to suitable care options by:
- referring you to Aged Care Assessment Teams (ACAT or ACAS in Victoria) (more information) and following up their recommendations
- referring you to Home and Community Care (more information) services
- referring you to other community care services such as Community Aged Care Packages (more information)
- referring you to other health related services, and
- negotiating with services on your behalf where appropriate.
Who will provide assistance?
ACHA is coordinated by the Department of Health and Ageing. Organisations who are affiliated with ACHA provide support through paid workers and/or volunteers. The primary role of these workers is to link you to appropriate mainstream housing and/or care services.Cost
There may be a fee for services provided by ACHA. However, you will not be denied a service that you need based on an inability to pay.Rights and responsibilities
Services offered through ACHA are all overseen by the Department of Health and Ageing. Each organisation must:- have a commitment to the principles and aims of the ACHA program
- have a commitment to the philosophy and goals of community services provision to ensure flexible services are tailored to your needs
- must supervise, manage and further develop the services that they offer
- provide a plan that combines ACHA with other available services
- ensures accountability, and
- have a demonstrated experience and knowledge of community care and housing systems.
How to make a complaint
If you have any concerns about the care being provided, it's best to raise your concerns with the service provider.Where complaints cannot be resolved with the ACHA service, you should be referred directly to your local Department of Health and Ageing.
Want more information?
If you would like more information about any aspect of ACHA, contact your local Department of Health and Ageing.Read more: Useful government contacts
Common questions on this topic:
- Do we have to pay for services provided by the Home and Community Care (HACC) Program?
- How do I arrange for an ACAT assessment?
See all common questions