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Housing help

If you need housing help, here are the contact details for a range of agencies which may be able to help you.

 

People who are homeless or at risk of homelessness

For emergency accommodation and support services – ring the Homeless Persons Information Centre on 1800 234 566 (Monday-Sunday 9.00 am-10.00 pm; closed for lunch 1.00 pm-2.00 pm – this is a state-wide service)

For overnight accommodation if you are homeless – ring Housing NSW’s After-hours Temporary Accommodation Line on 1800 152 152 (Monday-Friday 4.30 pm-8.00 pm, Sat, Sun, public holidays 10.00 am-10.00 pm)

For women in need of temporary accommodation because of domestic violence – ring Community Services’ Domestic Violence Line on 1800 656 463 (7 days a week, 24 hours a day); also see NSW Women's Refuge Movement – Victim Resources

For Aboriginal people experiencing homelessness - ring Ngura (Aboriginal Corporation for Homeless and Rehabilitation Community Services) on (02) 9799 8446 (Monday-Friday 7.00 am-6.00 pm)

For young people (people under 18 years) seeking emergency accommodation – ring Yconnect on 1800 424 830 or (02) 9318 1531 (a recorded message of crisis accommodation vacancies is available 7 days a week, 24 hours a day, plus vacancies are listed on their website) – a homeless youth support worker is available Monday-Friday, 9.00 am-5.00 pm

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

For people who need an interpreter – ring the Translating and Interpreting Service National on 131 450 (7 days, 24 hours) and ask to speak with one of the above agencies

 

Public housing tenants

For applications for a new social housing tenancy (whether with Housing NSW or a community housing association):

For tenancy information – ring the Tenants Union of NSW on (02) 8117 3700 to find your local Tenants Advice and Advocacy Service, or go to their website and enter your postcode

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

For appeals against a decision of a social housing provider (whether Housing NSW or a community housing provider):

  • first you need to appeal directly to your social housing provider against the decision; for a Review of Decisions (First Tier Appeal) Application, go to Housing Pathways; contact details for your local Housing NSW office may be accessed from the Housing NSW directory of offices
  • if you are not satisfied with the result of this appeal, you can appeal to the Housing Appeals Committee on 1800 629 794

 

Community housing tenants

For applications for a new social housing tenancy (whether with a community housing association or Housing NSW):

For tenancy information – ring the Tenants Union of NSW on (02) 02 8117 3750, 1800 251 101; or NSW Fair Trading on 133 220, 1300 723 404 (TTY)

For Commonwealth Rent Assistance, if you are a social security recipient – ring Centrelink on 13 1021 (Monday-Friday 8.00 am -5.00 pm), 1800 810 586 (TTY)

For appeals against a decision of a social housing provider (whether a community housing provider or Housing NSW):

 

Private renters

For help with bond payment and rent advance for a new tenancy, under the Rentstart scheme – ring Housing NSW on 1300 468 746 (Monday-Friday 8.00 am-6.00 pm, Saturday 10.00 am-3.00 pm)

For other forms of private rental assistance – ring Housing NSW on 1300 468 746 (Monday-Friday 8.00 am-6.00 pm, Saturday 10.00 am-3.00 pm) or check out the Housing Pathways website.

For rental bond information – ring NSW Fair Trading on 1800 500 330, 1300 723 404 (TTY)

For Commonwealth Rent Assistance, if you are a social security recipient – ring Centrelink on 13 1021 (Monday-Friday 8.00 am-5.00 pm), 1800 810 586 (TTY)

For tenancy information or complaints about landlords or real estate agents – ring the Tenants Union of NSW on (02) 8117 3700 to find your local Tenants Advice and Advocacy Service, or go to their website and enter your postcode; or NSW Fair Trading 1800 500 330, 1300 723 404 (TTY)

 

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 on 1300 468 746 (Monday-Friday 8.00 am-6.00 pm, Saturday 10.00 am-3.00 pm)

For rental bond information – ring NSW Fair Trading on 1800 500 330, 1300 723 404 (TTY)

For Commonwealth Rent Assistance, if you are a social security recipient – ring Centrelink on 13 1021 (Monday-Friday 8.00 am-5.00 pm), 1800 810 586 (TTY)

For advocacy and information on the rights and responsibilities of residential park and manufactured home estate residents – ring the Park and Village Service (PAVS) on 1800 177 688 (which is a free call for country callers except via mobiles) or (02) 9566 1010.

For tenancy information or complaints about park managers or park owners – ring the Tenants Union of NSW on (02) 8117 3700 to find your local Tenants Advice and Advocacy Service, or go to their website and enter your postcode; or NSW Fair Trading on 1800 500 330, 1300 723 404 (TTY)

 

Boarders and lodgers

For information for boarders and lodgers or complaints about landlords – ring the Tenants Union of NSW on (02) 8117 3700 to find your local Tenants Advice and Advocacy Service, or go to their website and enter your postcode; or NSW Fair Trading on 1800 500 330, 1300 723 404 (TTY)

For complaints about licensed boarding houses – ring Ageing, Disability and Home Care on (02) 8270 2000, (02) 8270 2167 (TTY)

 

Affordable housing tenants

For applications for a new tenancy in affordable housing – ring a community housing association which provides affordable housing in your area (contact details are available from the Centre for Affordable Housing website or ring (02) 8753 8181)

 

Aboriginal people

For housing advice for Aboriginal people (on matters such as private tenancies, Aboriginal Housing Office tenancies, Housing NSW tenancies, home purchase, emergency accommodation, Aboriginal community housing providers, local Aboriginal land councils and real estate agents) – ring the Aboriginal Housing Information Service on 1800 727 555, (02) 8836 9444 (Monday-Friday 9.00 am-5.00 pm)

To speak to an Aboriginal operator about applications for a new tenancy with Housing NSW and other enquiries – ring Housing NSW on 1300 468 746 (Monday-Friday 8.30 am-4.30 pm)

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

For tenancy information for Aboriginal people or complaints about landlords – ring the Tenants Union of NSW on (02) 8117 3700 to find your local Aboriginal Tenants Advice and Advocacy Service, or go to their website; or NSW Fair Trading on 1800 500 330, 1300 723 404 (TTY)

For Commonwealth Rent Assistance, if you are a social security recipient – ring Centrelink on 13 1021 (Monday-Friday 8.00 am-5.00 pm), 1800 810 586 (TTY)

 

Homepurchasers

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

For mortgage assistance – ring Housing NSW on 1300 468 746 (Monday-Friday 8.30 am-4.30 pm)

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

For home loans for Aboriginal people under the Indigenous Business Australia Home Ownership Program – ring 1800 107 107

 

Ex-prisoners

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

 

People with disability

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

For access to private rental assistance (disability) – ring Housing NSW on 1300 468 746

For advocacy for people with disability – ring People With Disability Australia on 1800 422 015 or (02) 9370 3100 (TTY: (02) 9318 2138; TTY toll free: 1800 422 016)

For advocacy for people with disability from non-English speaking backgrounds – ring the Multicultural Disability Advocacy Association of NSW on 1800 629 072 or (02) 9891 6400

 

People living with HIV/AIDS

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

For access to private rental assistance (special) – ring Housing NSW on 1300 468 746

 

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

For complaints about your residential care provider – ring the Aged-care Rights Service on (02) 9281 3672, 1800 424 079

 

Refugees

For referrals for emergency or short-term accommodation for refugees – ring the Asylum Seekers Centre on (02) 9361 5606

 

People requiring assistance with living conditions

For people concerned about others requiring assistance with living conditions – see the Squalor and Hoarding Toolkit from Catholic Community Services and the City of Sydney

 

People with legal issues

For people with legal issues – ring Law Access NSW on 1300 888 529 (Monday-Friday 9:00-17:00 excluding public holidays); if you have a hearing or speech impairment, call Law Access using a Telephone Typewriter (TTY) on 1300 889 529; if you need an interpreter, call Law Access through the Translating and Interpreting Service (TIS) on 131 450 (TIS is a free and confidential service)

For people with legal issues who are experiencing homelessness or at risk of homelessness – attend a free legal clinic operated by the Homeless Persons Legal Service (Sydney clinic times and locations are available online).

For low-income people who need legal help – ring Legal Aid NSW on 1300 888 529 (for minor assistance and casework services, including advice on mortgage payments and other debt issues)

For appeals against a decision of a social housing provider (whether Housing NSW or a community housing provider):

 

People who have issues with electricity, gas and water suppliers

For people who are having difficulties paying electricity or water bills – ring your supplier to ask if they offer flexible payment schemes or payment assistance

For people having difficulty paying energy bills – ring the Energy Accounts Payment Assistance Scheme on 1300 729 867; also see 'What assistance is there to help with my energy bills?' under Supporting You

For people who have disputes with electricity, gas and (some) water suppliers – ring Energy & Water Ombudsman NSW on 1800 246 545 (Monday-Friday 9.00 am-5.00 pm excluding public holidays) or lodge an online complaint to EWON

 

People seeking financial advice

For people seeking financial advice on credit, debt and banking issues – ring the Consumer Credit Legal Centre on 1800 808 488 (for credit and debt issues) or 1300 663 464 (for insurance issues) (Monday– Friday 9.30 am-4.30 pm)

For people seeking financial advice and counselling about managing debts and payments – contact a Financial Counselling Services Program service

 

People seeking counselling

For people seeking access to crisis support, suicide prevention and mental health support services – ring Lifeline on 13 11 14 (24 hours a day, 7 days a week) or access Lifeline's online resources

 

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 25-Oct-2011