If you or someone you know need someone to talk to, for any reason, about anything, you can call Lifeline on 13 11 14 or Kids Helpline on 1800 55 1800, 24 hours a day.
There are lots of reasons someone might need emergency accommodation:
- An unstable home life
- Family or relationship breakdown
- Eviction
- Risk of, or exposure to, crime, drugs or violence
- Just being flat broke
If you don't have anywhere to live, or anywhere safe to live, there is help out there.
Where to find emergency accommodation
If you don't have a place to live, or you're worried about losing your home, or you know someone at risk of homelessness, you can get help straight away by calling 1800 825 955 (free call, 24 hours).
You can also contact your nearest crisis centre - there's a list of support centres on the Department of Human Services website.
What kind of help is out there?
Short-term emergency housing is managed by not-for-profit organisations. It includes:
- Women's refuges
- Youth refuges
- Major crisis supported accommodation services
These organisations may also be able to help you find or keep long-term housing or even get into private rental.
Your housing assistance options
The Department of Human Services Housing Assistance website is a one-stop shop for information about housing options and assistance in Victoria.
It has information about getting help in a crisis, and advice on finding and keeping the housing you need. It's also got a housing options finder tool you can use to find options and assistance available to you.
Other support services
Other places you can turn to for support include:
Frontyard Youth Services
Frontyard Youth Services helps to address the physical, social and emotional needs of people between 12 and 25. Their services are all free, and include:
- Housing support
- Health services
- Education and training
- Family support
You don't have to be based in Melbourne to get advice from them. You can drop in at their offices (19 King Street, Melbourne) without an appointment, call them on 03 9611 2411 (9am–8pm Mon – Fri; 10am–6pm Sat & Sun) or email frontyard@mcm.org.au.
Centrelink
Centrelink also offers help to people who are homeless or at risk of becoming homeless. If you get payments from Centrelink, they can:
- Help you manage your rental payments
- Provide one-off crisis payments
- Make an appointments with social workers so you can work through your problems
Find out more at the Centrelink Accommodation, renting and homelessness page.
Links
Lifeline
If you or someone you know need someone to talk to, for any reason, about anything, you can call Lifeline on 13 11 14 - 24 hours a day.
Kids Helpline
Call 1800 55 1800 - 24 hours a day to find services and places that can help you in your local area.
housing.vic.gov.au
This initiative of the Victorian Social Housing Framework makes it easier to find information about housing and housing assistance.
Frontyard Youth Services
Providing help for the physical, social and emotional needs of people between 12 and 25.
Centrelink - Accommodation, Renting and Homelessness
Information about crisis payments, finding social workers and assistance if you're having trouble paying your rent.