Intensive Riverland ABC Intensive Riverland ABC 2

OUR River to Home trial program designed by the Riverland Homelessness Service team was a finalist for a state award and featured on ABC radio, state-wide television and online.

The program supports homelessness service clients with a mentor once they have found a home to help ensure they retain their accommodation and avoid eviction.

Providing support during the transition into housing was identified as a key strategy by ac.care staff to help prevent clients from returning to sleeping rough.

ac.care client support Linda Noble said there was a lack of public housing in the Riverland and people who had been homeless faced a number of additional challenges when they secured accommodation.

“A lot of them have been homeless for a long time, possibly living on the river, and don’t know how to maintain a property,” she said.

“Some of them might not have ever been taught how to maintain a home when they were growing up because of the family make-up.”

Australian Institute of Health and Welfare statistics show many rough sleepers experienced repeat episodes of homelessness, despite support from specialist services.

However, Ms Noble said she hoped the mentoring program would help turn this trend around.

“We provide intense support and assistance to clients in a variety of ways and the impact of this support will certainly provide long-term housing sustainability and success,” she said.

The program includes a focus on health, wellbeing, social and emotional support, assistance to sustain and maintain a tenancy, budgeting advice and links to community networks.

The program was a fnalist in the South Australian Australasian Housing Institute Awards.

ac.care Locations

ac.care is a dynamic organisation servicing the South Australian communities the Limestone Coast, Murraylands, Riverland, Adelaide Hills and Fleurieu Peninsula.

Our mission is for all country people to have a safe home, enough money to live on and strong, positive relationships.

Please find our service locations here or use our contact form to request a service.

Mount Gambier
Head office and Foster Care

70-72 White Avenue Mount Gambier, SA 5290
PO Box 1842 Mount Gambier SA 5290
Monday to Friday 9am to 5pm

Mount Gambier
Community Centre

22-24 Ferrers Street Mount Gambier, SA 5290
Monday to Friday 9am to 5pm

Mount Gambier
Family Relationship Centre

1 Helen Street (cnr Bay Road) Mount Gambier, SA 5290
Monday
9am to 5pm
Tuesday
10:30am to 5pm
Wednesday
9am to 5pm
Thursday
9am to 5pm
Later by appt
Friday
9am to 5pm

Berri Community Centre
Servicing the Riverland

5 Kealley Street, Berri, SA 5343
PO Box 1345 Berri, SA 5343
Monday to Friday 9am to 5pm

Murraylands Centre
Servicing the Murraylands, Adelaide Hills and Fleurieu Peninsula

29 Bridge Street, Murray Bridge, SA 5253
PO Box 2090 Murray Bridge, SA 5253
Monday to Friday 9am to 5pm

Millicent
Community Centre

57-59 George Street Millicent, SA 5280
PO Box 378 Millicent, SA 5280
Monday to Friday 9am to 4pm
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