Temporary accommodation for people experiencing homelessness
If you are experiencing homelessness, you may be eligible for short-term accommodation and help to find long-term stable accommodation.
How it works
Temporary accommodation provides short-term stays in supported accommodation through support providers, low-cost motels or caravan parks for people experiencing homelessness.
Temporary accommodation is offered by Homes NSW and some community housing providers.
The length of stay depends on your specific needs. Most people stay for a few days, and then extend if needed.
If you find somewhere else to stay, you need to let us know as soon as possible so that we can offer it to someone else in need.
Maintaining temporary accommodation
To continue receiving temporary accommodation, you must:
- follow the accommodation’s rules
- contribute to the cost of the stay, unless you’re escaping domestic and family violence. This contribution must be made before extending the temporary accommodation
- let us know if you have left and are not returning
- leave the accommodation in good order
- stay in contact with your support providers
- work on a support plan to help you find long-term stable accommodation.
Developing a support plan
You will need to develop a support plan to show how you will find other suitable accommodation. This might be a short-term option like a place at a specialist homelessness service, or a longer-term option like renting a place.
To develop your support plan, contact or visit your local housing office. It is important you do this within:
- 3 nights of starting temporary accommodation
- 2 nights of extending your temporary accommodation.
To confirm the right housing option for you, you will also need to complete 1 of the following within 2 weeks of contacting us.
If you have an active housing application
Complete a change of circumstances form.
Submit a Change of Circumstances form
If you do not have an active housing application
Complete an application for housing assistance.
Submit an Application for Housing Assistance
When temporary accommodation may not be offered
Temporary accommodation or an extension of temporary accommodation may not be offered if you:
- do not meet the general eligibility criteria, including income, assets or residency status
- haven't followed the requirements of temporary accommodation in the past 6 months
- damaged property or displayed antisocial behaviour in the past 6 months
- refused an offer of alternative reasonable accommodation within the past 12 months.
We’re here to help
If you have an enquiry, contact the Housing Response Centre on 1800 422 322 or visit your local housing office.