STEPS has launched the Five STEPS Housing Program, a new practical training initiative designed to help people gain the skills and confidence necessary to secure and maintain rental housing.
Delivered for free within the existing STEPS Skills for Education and Employment (SEE) Program classes, the Five STEPS Housing Program provides hands-on learning about tenancy essentials while strengthening foundational literacy, numeracy and communication skills.
STEPS CEO Cassie Stanley said the Five STEPS Housing Program responds to growing housing pressures and the need for a practical, confidence-building pathway that helps people find and maintain stable housing.
"Securing and keeping a rental home is part of an ongoing national conversation, and it can be a very difficult process, particularly for people who have never rented before or haven't learnt how to maximise their rental application," Mrs Stanley said.
"Our Five STEPS Housing Program utilises real-life scenarios and step-by-step learning to help our participants understand everything they need to know about renting."
The Five STEPS Housing Program covers more than 70 topics related to renting and maintaining a home, including understanding leases, preparing for inspections, budgeting, cleaning, home safety, and communicating with landlords and real estate agents.
Alongside tenancy knowledge, participants will also take part in activities designed to enhance everyday reading, writing, numeracy, listening and speaking skills that support broader life and employment outcomes.
Outside of existing STEPS SEE Program classes, STEPS is working with referrers and community partners to deliver the Five STEPS Housing Program in regions where STEPS currently operates, with potential for future expansion as demand grows.
