Drug court program
The Drug court Program provides affordable, short term accommodation to people:
- who are in the Drug Court Residential Program
- bound by an Intensive Drug Rehabilitation Order issued by the Drug Court.
Policy requirements
The provider must comply with its obligations under the Housing Regulation 2003 (PDF, 482KB) (the Regulation), including to keep and implement policies as set out in sections 25, 26, 27 and 34.
The below is not a complete list of policies required to be kept and/or implemented by providers. Each policy requirement must be read together with the assistance agreement and the Regulation.
- Referrals Policy (s25 of the Regulation)
- Eligibility Policy (s26 of the Regulation)
- Allocation Policy (s27 of Regulation)
- Rent (s34 of the Regulation)
Property management and maintenance
Purchases made and work undertaken in relation to the property must be:
- best value for money
- completed by tradespeople selected through fair and equitable means, free from any conflict of interest
- completed in a timely manner by a qualified licensed tradesperson with adequate insurance cover.
If a tradesperson is hired for an extended period of time, the provider must periodically check the tradesperson is licensed to carry out the works and holds adequate insurance cover.
Property matters
Providers must ensure:
- properties leased are within a 4km radius, or within 15 minutes travel of the nearest drug court. Drug Courts operate in the Beenleigh, Southport, Ipswich, Townsville and Cairns Magistrates Courts. The department can advise the provider of any suburbs or streets that are excluded
- properties used for accommodation are suitable to achieve the objectives of the program
- properties with health or safety defects are not leased until they have been repaired by the owner (unless we have provided written consent)
- properties leased from funds are leased in their (i.e. the provider’s) name
- the term of the residential is no longer than 6 months.
In carrying out repairs, any broken items must be replaced with similar items.
Maintenance done by the provider must be carried out in a tradesperson-like and lawful manner and should be of good quality, durable, low maintenance materials to cater for high wear and tear.
The provider must not:
- sub-let any portion of the property for reasons outside the objectives without first getting the approval of the department
- lease any properties that have existing tenants
- lease any property from any employee, board members or family.
Accommodation agreements
The provider must ensure they and the eligible person/s enter into an accommodation agreement which forms part of the Intensive Drug Rehabilitation Order handed down by a Drug Court Magistrate.
A property condition report should be completed by all parties as part of the accommodation agreement, before the eligible person/s move into the accommodation.
The Provider must also comply with, and explain the conditions of the accommodation agreement to the eligible person/s.
Breaches of accommodation agreements
The provider must inform the accommodation support provider:
- of any breach of the accommodation agreement by the eligible person/s
- if the eligible person’s rent is 1 week or more in arrears
- if the eligible person/s has been removed from the property, either through the Intensive Drug Rehabilitation Order or the accommodation agreement. In these cases the provider will be advised if they will or will not be returned to the property.
If an eligible person is removed from a property and is not returning:
- the provider should complete an exit condition report to ensure all rental payments are finalised, and the Centre-pay arrangements and the accommodation agreement are cancelled
- any family members of the eligible person who are also living in the property, will lose their right to occupy the property under the accommodation agreement. In these cases the provider must make all reasonable efforts to relocate that family to other suitable accommodation within a reasonable timeframe.
Property damage
The provider must:
- list all items damaged and the cost to repair the damage
- get 3 quotes (if the damage is more than $500) and forward them to the department for approval before starting repairs, except in emergency situations
- report the incident to the nearest Police Station and get a copy of the police report
- give a copy of the police report to the accommodation support provider.
Insurance
The provider must hold public liability insurance for a minimum amount of $10,000,000 (10 million dollars).
Reporting
The provider must not list any information that may identify the eligible person/s. All references to eligible persons must be made by using the Drug Court identification reference number.
1.1 The provider must provide the following information and reports to the department within 21 days of being requested to do so in writing:
- a copy of any required insurance policies, the receipts for the last premiums and certificates of all insurance policies
- other information related to the provider's operations required by the department.
1.2 Without limiting the above clause (1.1), the provider must provide the following completed reports to the department in the time frames detailed below:
- monthly services reports, reporting against the specific performance indicators identified below, in the form or system as supplied by the department, no later than the third business day of the following month
Quantity
- General indicator:
- number of clients
- Specific performance indicator:
- number of clients assisted
Quality
- General indicator:
- client satisfaction/outcomes
- Specific performance indicator:
- number of exits from the Drug court Residential Program to public housing/ other secure housing
Timeliness
- General indicator:
- access to services/information
- Specific performance indicator:
- clients assisted by term of tenancy
Location
- General indicator:
- target groups/areas
- Specific performance indicator:
- clients housed in designated areas
Cost
- General indicator:
- cost/price per activity
- Specific performance indicator:
- minimum quota of funded properties managed and tenanted
- the Social Housing Annual Financial Return in the form or system as provided by the department, by 31 October each year
- a report that explains how it has met its obligations under the Service Funding Agreement for each annual period ending 30 June, by 31 October each year.
More information
For more information on community housing:
- applications, referrals and allocations, contact your nearest Housing Service Centre
- service requirements, reviews and compliance, contact
- Housing Services on 13 QGOV (13 74 68) or (07) 3225 1253 (Monday to Friday, 8.30am-5pm)
- email housingprovidermanagement@communities.qld.gov.au.
