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Blue Mountains Approach to Domestic Squalor

Blue Mountains City Council, government agencies and local community organisations have identified the problem of domestic squalor / hoarding as an significant issue affecting the lives of Blue Mountains residents.

In particular this issue affects the frail aged, people with disabilities and people living with or recovering from a mental illness. It can occur in a number of circumstances and situations.

Dictionary definitions of a squalid dwelling or place (as opposed to clothing or appearance) refer to somewhere that is filthy, unclean or foul through neglect. Definitions can be subjective and influenced by the attitude of the person making the assessment. Some environments, furthermore, such as those that are cluttered and inaccessible may be more likely to be labelled as 'squalid' even though they may be no dirtier than other places where there is less property and possessions. Therefore any attempts to define the word squalor should be clear in there explanation of the situation not the person living in the situation.

To address this issue a Working party was convened comprising of Council staff representatives, and representatives from the Aged Care Assessment Team, Community Options, Housing NSW, Eloura Industries, Mental Health Services, Katoomba, Home Care NSW, RSPCA and the Personal Helpers Mentors Program for people living with or recovering from a mental illness.

As a result of this collaborative partnership the Working Party developed the Blue Mountains Domestic Squalor Information Package this was launched in March 2010.

With the development of this Information Package, all agencies now know who to liaise and network with and are now better resourced with tools to assist in identifying places of squalor. There has also been a shift in thinking to consider the underlying issues of the person living in squalor not just the problem of the squalor itself. Through this multi-agency response, efforts to address squalor and / or hoarding have focused on a client centred preventative approach that is collaborative in nature and that works with the individual.

To view the Domestic Squalor Information Package visit the Council's website at www.bmcc.nsw.gov.au/yourcommunity/communityservices/domesticsqualor

This item was posted in November 2010.

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Blue Mountains Approach to Domestic Squalor

Blue Mountains City Council, government agencies and local community organisations have identified the problem of domestic squalor / hoarding as an significant issue affecting the lives of Blue Mountains residents.

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