Kiah Watson is studying a Bachelor of Philosophy at UWA, majoring in Human Rights, and recently supported an award-winning social housing project with Accordwest through a McCusker Centre for Citizenship internship.
“I worked on an evaluation of Accordwest’s Tiny Houses Project, a program that uses tiny houses as transitional housing for those experiencing homelessness, aiming to transition them into long-term housing with wrap-around support that addresses barriers to permanent housing,” Kiah said.
“I met with and interviewed various clients, internal employees and external stakeholders, learning about the history of the project, and how it functions now. I then wrote a report synthesising this information, focusing on stories and personal experiences of those involved.”
Kiah’s report will be distributed for interested parties to learn from or emulate the project.
“The work I did in my internship can help inform future innovative projects in social and affordable housing. It has the potential to make the Tiny Houses Project and future programs more effective, impactful and valuable, delivering better outcomes for clients, and it has the potential to encourage more funding and support for similar projects.”
Accordwest was nominated for the Best Regional Project or Initiative Award for the Tiny Houses Project in the Shelter WA Homelessness and Community Housing Awards, through an application process that involved the use of Kiah’s report, and in September Kiah was able to attend the Awards event when the Project was announced as winner of the category.
Ross Kyrwood, Accordwest Program Manager and Executive Advisor Social and Community Housing, said that having Kiah intern through the McCusker Centre for Citizenship enabled the story of the project to be shared.
“Accordwest always thought that the Tiny Houses Project was innovative and special. It was our intent that the project could be replicated by others,” Mr Kyrwood said.
“Kiah was outstanding in engaging with the various stakeholders and writing the story of the Tiny Houses Project,” he said.
Kiah said that as well as benefiting others, the opportunities and challenges presented by the internship opportunity were valuable for her as she considered a future working in a community context.
“The most rewarding part of the internship was meeting with all the people involved, getting to hear firsthand about the incredible community collaboration from so many passionate people that enabled the project to happen despite many challenges.
“I was fortunate to be able to travel to Bunbury for many of the interviews. As the interviews were with a wide variety of people including clients, employees, community members and state and local government representatives, I had to adapt the form, tone and professionalism between each interview,” Kiah said.
“I was able to rapidly develop confidence in myself and my skills in just a few days, and the whole internship is something I am able to draw on as valuable, real-world experience with an impact and a community focus.”