Housing assistance for domestic and family violence
We are committed to reducing domestic violence and its effects by improving your access to safe, affordable and appropriate accommodation and housing services.
If you or a member of your household are experiencing or at risk of domestic and family violence, you may be eligible for:
- emergency accommodation
- priority housing assistance
- private rental assistance
Crisis accommodation
Refuges provide crisis accommodation and support to people who are experiencing or are at risk of homelessness including women, men, young people, families.
If you or someone you know needs help, you can search for a service by location or by the type of support needed depending on the situation.
If you would like to be referred to a support service, or a Specialist Homelessness Service please contact Link2Home on 1800 152 152. Link2Home operates 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.
Priority housing assistance
If you are experiencing or at risk of domestic and family violence, you may be eligible for priority housing assistance.
Priority housing assistance is for eligible clients with an urgent need for medium-to-long term social housing. This can be a more suitable option than the private rental market.
The Housing Pathways page or your local housing office can provide more information about the types of help available and how to access them.
Private rental assistance
Private rental assistance can include:
- Rent Choice Start Safely
- help with finding a private rental property
- Bond Extra to support your application for a private rental property.
Rent Choice Start Safely provides financial help for a limited time if you have experienced or are currently experiencing domestic and family violence. The Rent Choice Start Safely subsidy helps people secure private rental accommodation so they don’t have to return to a violent situation.
When you fill out an online application for housing assistance you may also be assessed for private rental assistance.
Already living in public housing
If you currently live in public housing and are experiencing or at risk of domestic and family violence, you can apply for a transfer to another property or for help to take over the tenancy if you name is not already on the lease. Or you can apply for temporary accommodation. For more information, contact the Housing Response Centre on 1800 422 322 or your local Housing office.
Staying Home Leaving Violence program
We are partners in Staying Home Leaving Violence which supports women and children to stay safely in their own home or a home of their choice after ending a violent relationship. The program offers a range of services to improve safety and housing stability including improving home security, providing support for children, helping women throughout the legal process, and referrals to other services e.g. health, employment and counselling services.