Counting the first 7 nights of a new emergency housing event
Once MSD has established the client has a new emergency housing event, the client does not have to meet the emergency housing responsibilities for the first 7 nights.
Generally, when a client has a new emergency housing event, their first Emergency Housing Grant is granted for 7 nights.
However, sometimes these first grants can be for:
- fewer than 7 nights (e.g. if granted after hours by the Contact Centre) or
- longer than 7 nights (e.g. where there is low availability of emergency housing in the region)
Note MSD cannot set agreed activities for those 7 nights because emergency housing responsibilities do not apply. However, MSD can still discuss opportunities, information, or services might help the client find other housing options during the first 7 nights.
Example 1 - First grant is longer than 7 nights due to low availability of emergency housing in the region
A client's first Emergency Housing Grant, for an emergency housing event, is paid for 10 nights due to low availability of emergency housing in the region.
The client will not be required to meet the emergency housing responsibilities, including paying the emergency housing contribution for the first 7 nights.
However, the responsibilities that will apply from night 8 are discussed and agreed to.
They will need to pay the emergency housing contribution for the last 3 nights.
At night 8, activities are set. The client must meet all the emergency housing responsibilities for the rest of the grant period.
MSD must make sure the agreed activities set are reasonable for the client to complete in the period until their next emergency housing grant date.
The Emergency Housing Grant is paid for 10 nights due to low availability:
Nights in accommodation funded by an Emergency Housing Grant for the same event | 1 to 7 nights | 8 to 10 nights |
Contribution | Responsibility does not apply | Responsibilities must be met and MSD sets agreed activities for this period |
Make a reasonable effort in their circumstances to obtain other housing | Responsibility does not apply | Responsibilities must be met and MSD sets agreed activities for this period |
Engage with support services | Responsibility does not apply | Responsibilities must be met and MSD sets agreed activities for this period |
Example 2 - Initial grant is shorter than 7 nights as granted after hours
A clients first Emergency Housing Grant for an emergency housing event is paid for 3 nights. This is because they applied at the end of the week and cannot have their needs fully assessed by a case manager until Monday.
On Monday they are granted a further 4 nights. They will not be required to meet the emergency housing responsibilities for either of these grants.
However, if the client gets a further emergency housing grant for the same event after the first 7 nights, they must meet the responsibilities and activities agreed to.
MSD must make sure the responsibilities set are reasonable for the client to complete in the period until their next emergency housing grant date.
Initial Emergency Housing Grant is a shorter grant:
Nights in accommodation funded by emergency housing grant for the same event | 1 to 3 nights (initial grant paid for 3 nights) | 4 to 7 nights (grant 2 is paid for 4 nights) | 8 to 14 nights (grant 3 is paid for 7 nights) |
Contribution | Responsibility does not apply | Responsibility does not apply | Responsibilities must be met and MSD sets agreed activities for this period |
Make a reasonable effort in their circumstances to obtain other housing | Responsibility does not apply | Responsibility does not apply | Responsibilities must be met and MSD sets agreed activities for this period |
Engage with support services | Responsibility does not apply | Responsibility does not apply | Responsibilities must be met and MSD sets agreed activities for this period |
Note the expectations and conditions of payment apply from night 1 in emergency housing.
