Information for individuals seeking housing or housing assistance

People wanting crisis or emergency accommodation

For overnight accommodation if you are homeless – ring Housing NSW’s after-hours temporary accommodation line 1800 152 152 (Mon-Fri 16:30-20:00, Sat, Sun, public holidays 10:00-22:00)

For referrals to accommodation and support services – ring the Sydney City Council’s Homeless Persons Information Centre 1800 234 566 (Mon-Sun 9:00-22:00; closed for lunch 13:00-14:00)

For women in need of temporary accommodation because of domestic violence – ring the Department of Community Services’s domestic violence line 1800 656 463 (7 days, 24 hours)

For general enquiries about housing assistance – ring Housing NSW 1300 468 746 (7 days, 24 hours)

Homepurchasers

For general assistance – ring Housing NSW’s Home Purchase Advisory Service 1300 468 746 (7 days, 24 hours)

For mortgage assistance – ring Housing NSW 1300 468 746 (Mon-Fri 8:30-16:30)

For a grant under the First Home Owner Grant Scheme – ring the Office of State Revenue 1300 130 624

For exemptions or concessions on transfer duty and mortgage duty under the First Home Plus scheme – ring the Office of State Revenue 1300 130 624

For home loans for Indigenous people under the Indigenous Business Australia (IBA) Homes scheme – ring 1800 107 107

Private renters

For help with bond payment and rent advance for a new tenancy, under the Rentstart scheme – ring Housing NSW 1300 468 746 (Mon-Fri 8:00-18:00, Sat 10:00-15:00)

For rental bond information – ring the Office of Fair Trading 131320

For rent assistance, if you are a social security recipient – ring Centrelink 13 1021 (Mon-Fri 8:00-17:00), 1800 810 586 (TTY)

For tenancy information – ring the Tenants Union of NSW 02 8117 3750, 1800 251 101; or the Office of Fair Trading 133220, 1300 723 404 (TTY)

For Aboriginal tenancy information – ring 1800 500 330, 1300 723 404 (TTY)

For complaints about a landlord for breaching a tenancy agreement – ring the Consumer, Trader and Tenancy Tribunal 1300 135 399

Residents of residential parks (caravans, mobile homes, manufactured homes)

For help with bond payment and rent advance for a new tenancy, under the Rentstart scheme – ring Housing NSW 1300 468 746 (Mon-Fri 8:00-18:00, Sat 10:00-15:00)

For rental bond information – ring the Office of Fair Trading 13 3220, 1300 723 404 (TTY)

For rent assistance, if you are a social security recipient – ring Centrelink 131021 (Mon-Fri 8:00-17:00 ), 1800 810 586 (TTY)

For tenancy information – ring the Parks and Village Service (02) 9281 7967; or the Office of Fair Trading 133220, 1300 723 404 (TTY)

For complaints about a landlord for breaching a tenancy agreement – ring the Consumer, Trader and Tenancy Tribunal 1300 135 399

Public housing tenants

For applications for a new tenancy – ring Housing NSW 1300 468 746 (7 days, 24 hours)

For tenancy information – ring the Tenants Union of NSW (02) 8117 3750, 1800 251 101

For feedback to Housing NSW – ring 1300 468 746 (7 days, 24 hours)

For complaints about Housing NSW’s administration of your tenancy – ring the Housing Appeals Committee 1800 629 794

For complaints about Housing NSW for breaching a tenancy agreement – ring the Consumer, Trader and Tenancy Tribunal 1300 135 399

Community housing tenants

For applications for a new tenancy – ring the community housing association in your area.

For enquiries about joining a rental housing cooperative – ring the Association to Resource Cooperative Housing (02) 9361 6834, 1800 066 834

For tenancy information – ring the Tenants Union of NSW (02) 02 8117 3750, 1800 251 101; or the Office of Fair Trading 133220, 1300 723 404 (TTY)

For complaints about the administration of your tenancy by a community housing association or a rental housing cooperative – ring the Housing Appeals Committee 1800 629 794

For complaints about your housing association for breaching a tenancy agreement – ring the Consumer, Trader and Tenancy Tribunal 1300 135 399

For rent assistance, if you are a social security recipient – ring Centrelink 13 1021 (Mon-Fri 8:00-17:00), 1800 810 586 (TTY)

Aboriginal housing tenants

For complaints about the administration of your tenancy, if your dwelling is owned by the Aboriginal Housing Office – ring the Housing Appeals Committee 1800 629 794

For tenancy information – ring the Tenants Union of NSW (02) 8117 3750, 1800 251 101; or the Office of Fair Trading 13 3220, 1300 723 404 (TTY)

For complaints about your landlord for breaching a tenancy agreement – ring the Consumer, Trader and Tenancy Tribunal 1300 135 399

For rent assistance, if you are a social security recipient – ring Centrelink 13 1021 (Mon-Fri 8:00-17:00 ), 1800 810 586 (TTY)

Ex-prisoners

For housing assistance for ex-prisoners – ring the Community Restorative Centre (02) 9288 8700; see also Gimme Shelter

People with disability

For accommodation for people with disability – ring a regional office of the Department of Disability, Ageing and Home Care

For access to a Special Assistance Subsidy: Disability – ring Housing NSW 1300 468 746

People living with HIV/AIDS

For accommodation for people living with HIV/AIDS – ring ACON 1800 063 060

For access to a Special Assistance Subsidy: Special – ring Housing NSW 1300 468 746

Residents of residential care facilities for older people (retirement villages, nursing homes, hostels)

For complaints about your provider – ring the Aged-care Rights Service (02) 9281 3672, 1800 424 079; or the Consumer, Trader and Tenancy Tribunal 1300 135 399

For advice on whether you are a tenant as distinct from a boarder or lodger – ring your local Tenants Advice and Advocacy Service or see Fact Sheet 14 on boarders and lodgers issued by the Tenants Union of NSW

If you find a mistake in the information listed here or you would like to suggest that we add further information, please tell us.

Updated 18-Dec-2008