If you can show that you need housing urgently, you can apply for Early Housing. This means you will be offered housing before other applicants on the waiting list — even if they applied before you. Although you will be housed sooner, this is not emergency housing and in most cases there is still a waiting time.
Homelessness
If you don’t have access to conventional shelter, especially at night, you may be considered to be homeless.
There are many causes of homelessness. The homeless person may be escaping from a troubled relationship or a situation that is violent or there may be a threat of violence. Homeless people may find temporary accommodation – such as in an abandoned building, in a shelter or with a friend.
There are many programs in Australia that aim to relieve homelessness. The services include advice, financial support and temporary accommodation. If you are currently without a place to live or face the risk of losing your home the following services may be able to help you:
Centrelink Crisis or Special Help
Payments for people who are in severe hardship and have been forced to leave their home on Centrelink's Crisis or Special Help (external link) pages. Follow the link to the 'accommodation and renting issues' to find out more information about Centrelink housing assistance.
Link to come
Community Youth Outreach
Community Youth Outreach (external link) has a list of useful resources for locating charity organisations that provide accommodation for young people who are homeless and bungalows to families where a young person is at risk of becoming homeless.
Link to come
Australian Federation of Homelessness Organisations
Get the facts on homelessness in Victoria with this background information on policy, programs and contacts in government and community organisations.
Link to come
Infoxchange Homelessness
Find out about the Victorian strategy for homelessness, join a discussion forum or search the accommodation registry. Special projects such as 'Speaking of Homelessness' present stories and images about surviving without a stable home.
Community.gov.au
A list of links that you can compare and research services, strategies across Australia for homeless people.
www.community.gov.au
Homelessness.org.au
The range of resources at this site extends from statistics and reports to personal stories, poems and images from the homeless and young people living on the streets.
www.homelessness.org.au
Reconnect Young Refugees Program
Translated into several languages, this information brochure describes services for new arrivals and refugees aged 12-18 who are having problems at home or who have recently left home. The site's 'Publications' area also contains research on the impact of settlement services, education, employment and training on migrant and refugee youth homelessness. Explore the rest of the site for more general information on government policy that relates to issues for multicultural youth.
Link to come
SAAP Housing
The Supported Accommodation Assistance Program (SAAP) provides assistance to homeless people and women and children escaping domestic violence. This is transitional housing – until you are able to find something more permanent and secure.
Ultimately your independence is the goal.
NT
Ampe Akweke
A safe house for young women having babies. Some women can stay at the house and learn the things they need to know about having and looking after a baby.
14 Lindsay Avenue
Alice Springs NT 0870
Call: 08 8953 4200 (Monday to Friday 9am – 4.30pm)
www.asyass.org.au
Crisis Refuge
Crisis Accommodation for young people 15 to 18 years who are homeless or at risk of homelessness. After hours access is available.
14 Lindsay Avenue
Alice Springs NT 0870
Call: 08 89534096 (24 hours)
www.asyass.org.au
Youth Housing Program
Alice Springs Youth Accommodation Services Inc.
Shared semi-supported accommodation in two-bedroom flats is provided for young people aged 15 – 21 years old. An intensive living skills program including budgeting and saving is provided.
14 Lindsay Avenue
Alice Springs NT 0871
Call: 08 8953 4200 (Mon - Thurs 9am – 4.30pm or Friday by appointment)
www.asyass.org.au
NT Shelter
NT Shelter is a peak non-government housing policy and advocacy organisation. NT Shelter aims to ensure adequate and appropriate housing is available for all members of the community particularly low income housing consumers and those with special needs including young people.
9/16 Malak Crescent
Malak NT 0812
Call: 08 8297 5600 (Mon - Fri 8am – 4.30pm )
www.ntshelter.org.au
Somerville Community Services Inc
A variety of programs for young people between 12 – 24 years of age. The main focus is to prevent youth homelessness.
30 First Street
Katherine NT 0850
(8.30am – 5.30pm, Mon - Fri)
www.somerville.org.au
Newly Arrived Youth Support Service (NAYSS)
Support Services to young people who are homeless or at risk of homelessness, between the ages of 12 and 21 years and who have arrived in Australia in the last five years as refugees or migrants. The service also provides training and support to other organizations/programs, which have youth from a refugee background as clients.
Call: 08 89853311
Connect East Arnhem Youth and Family Support
A youth homelessness early intervention program fro young people aged 10 – 18 years. The program provides support, information, referrals and practical assistance to young people and their families and communities. Young people can access group work, individual or family support, camps and information sessions.
Community Offices
Chesterfield Circuit
Nhulunbuy NT 0881
Call: 08 8987 3022
Email: Connect.anglicare@bigpond.com
Emergency Relief Program
Support services for young people 15 to 21 years old including general support and referral as well as support and advocacy for income, legal, housing and employment problems.
14 Lindsay Avenue
Alice Springs NT 0870
Call: 08 8953 4200 (900am – 430pm, Mon - Thurs)
Email: asyass@ozemail.com.au
www.asyass.org.au
Darwin Family Support Service
Assists people in crisis with food parcels and vouchers, Telstra bills, eyeglasses clothing, furniture, cutlery and other kitchen items. An appointment is needed. Each individual is assessed at the interview to determine the help that can be given.
Corner Yanyula Drive and Lee Point Road
Anula NT 0812
Call: 08 8972 9566 (10.00am – 12.00 noon and 2.00pm – 4.00pm, Mon – Fri)
Email: dawinfss@aus.salvationarmy.org
Connect
A youth homelessness and early intervention program for young people aged 12 – 18 years and their families and communities. Connect Provides support, information, referrals and practical assistance to young people and their families. Connect is a free and flexible service providing assistance to young people for education, employment and training opportunities.
Shop G6 Satepak House
11 Palmerston Circuit
Palmerston NT 0830
Call: 08 8932 7850
Email: ayplam@bigpond.com
Vic
Salvation Army Crisis Service
This website has information on how young people can access the Salvation Army Crisis service, including accommodation support.
www.salvationarmy.org.au/SALV/LANDING/pc=PC_60217
Young Renters Program
This is a program offered by the Peninsula Community Legal centre for young people to help them get their foot in the door for rental properties.
Young Renters Program
Front Yard
Front Yard is a youth service based in the CBD that assists young people on a wide variety of issues, including accommodation.
http://www.frontyard.org/young_people.htm
Infoexchange
Provides information on services available in Vicotoria, including some accommodation.
http://www.serviceseeker.com.au/
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