Helping you to help homelessness
RESOURCES
Resources for workers in the homelessness sector
- Barwon South West Homelessness Report (2020) – PDF, 1.9Mb
- Homelessness Agencies & Peak Bodies
- Homelessness Networks in Victoria
- Referrals & Secondary Consultations
- Barwon South West Victorian Homelessness Inquiry submission (PDF, 563kb)
- BSW response to the State Government 10 Year Social and Affordable Housing strategy (PDF, 857kb)
- BSW submission to the Federal Government Homelessness Inquiry (PDF, 563kb)
- BSWHN Submission to the 10 Year National Housing and Homelessness Plan October 2023 (PDF, 731kb)
Homelessness Agencies & Peak Bodies
HousingVic
HousingVic makes it easier to find the right information about housing and housing assistance in Victoria.
Their website is the source of information for current public housing tenants, potential social housing tenants and anyone wanting to know about housing in Victoria.
Tenants Victoria
Tenants Victoria provides information, advice and legal representation to promote and protect the rights of Victorians who rent their homes
HousingVic
Homelessness Australia (HA) is the national peak body for homelessness in Australia. Homelessness Australia was defunded by the Federal Government in 2015 and now has neither an office nor paid staff. HA now provides its services on a voluntary basis and with the support of members.
Community Housing Industry Association Victoria (CHIA Vic)
CHIA Victoria works to support the growth of community housing as the most effective and efficient means of ensuring more disadvantaged Victorians can enjoy the dignity of safe, secure and appropriate housing.
Council to Homeless Persons
The Council to Homeless Persons is the peak body representing organisations and individuals in Victoria with a commitment to ending homelessness.
Victorian Homelessness Network
Victorian Homelessness Network (VHN), is a partnership of the nine Regional Homelessness Networks in Victoria. The VHN provides a mechanism for strategically progressing issues of common concern across all Regional Homelessness Networks, with a focus on operational issues relating to management of a statewide homelessness service system.
Statewide Children’s Resource Program
The Statewide Children’s Resource Program is funded by the Department of Health and Human Services to assist, support, and resource homelessness and other non government services to respond more effectively to the needs of children who have experienced homelessness and/or family violence.
Australian Housing and Urban Research Institute (UHURI)
AHURI is a national independent research network with an expert not-for-profit research management company, AHURI Limited, at its centre. It undertakes research leading to the advancement of knowledge on key policy and practice issues.
VCOSS
TheVictorian Council of Social Service works towards the elimination of poverty and disadvantage in all its forms, and the creation of a society where all people are supported to thrive.
Victorian Homelessness Networks
Gippsland Region
(no website)
Grampians Region
(no website)
REFERRALS & SECONDARY CONSULTATIONS
Advocacy and Advice
Barwon Community Legal Service
Free legal information, advice and referrals for clients in relation to Family Violence, Centrelink matters, Family Law, Child Support and Debt matters.
barwoncls.org
Barwon Diversitat- Tenancy, Assistance and Advocacy Service
Advice and assistance in relation to private residential tenancy matters and can also provide advocacy at VCAT for low income earners and victims of family violence.
diversitat.org.au/community-programs/tenancy-assistance-advocacy-program
Consumer Affairs Victoria
Information about rights and responsibilities for tenants and landlords, how to resolve disputes and where to find help.
www.consumer.vic.gov.au
Homelessness Advocacy Service
If a client has a problem with a homelessness assistance or social housing service, a support service or a rooming house, they can contact the Council to Homeless Persons’ Homelessness Advocacy Service for advice and assistance.
https://chp.org.au/need-help/
Justice Connect
Advocacy, legal assistance, advice, policy and law reform.
homelessnes and housing issues
general legal issues
South West Bethany –Tenancy, Assistance and Advocacy Service
Help with a wide range of issues that may be facing tenants.
bethany.org.au/tenancy-assistance
South West Legal Aid
Helping Victorians with their legal problems.
legalaid.vic.gov.au/contact-us/our-offices
Tenancy Plus Support Program – Assistance to remain in Social Housing
Aims to prevent homelessness and support tenants to stay in housing.
housing.vic.gov.au/tenancy-plus-support-program
Tenant’s Victoria
Advice, assistance and advocacy for tenants in private and public residential properties.
tenantsvic.org.au
Victorian Equal Opportunity & Human Rights Commission
Information, advice and dispute resolution related to discrimination.
humanrightscommission.vic.gov.au
Alcohol and Other Drugs
ACSO
acso.org.au
Barwon Health
barwonhealth.org.
South West – the Lookout
thelookoutrehab.
Stepping Up Consortium – Geelong and Colac
stepping-up.org.au/
Turning Point State-wide
turningpoint.org.
Western Region Alcohol and Other Drug Centre WRAD
wrad.org.au
Windana
windana.org.au
Disabilities
Housing
Accessible housing for people with disabilities
Housing Hub
Government
Centrelink
humanservices.gov.au
Child Protection
services.dhhs.vic.gov.
Department of Health and Human Services – Local Housing Offices locations
dhhs.vic.gov.au/locations-dhhs-offices-victoria
Department of Housing
Information and resources for housing service providers involved in providing homelessness and crisis support, affordable rental.
http://www.dhs.vic.gov.au/for-service-providers/housing-and-homelessness
General Enquiries 1300 650 172
Family Violence
Barwon Orange Door (Colac and Geelong)
orangedoor.vic.gov.au
Djirra- advice and referral for Aboriginal people who are experiencing violence or have experienced family violence
djirra.org.au/contact-
Family Violence Services for Men – Geelong
bethany.org.au/
Kids Helpline
kidshelpline.com.au
Men’s Referral Service
ntv.org.au
Safe Steps Family Violence Response Centre State-wide 24/7 support
safesteps.org.au
Sexual Assault and Family Violence Centre – Geelong
safvcentre.org.au/
South West CASA (Centre Against Sexual Assault) – Warrnambool
swcasa.org.au/
South West Family and Domestic Violence- Emma House Domestic Violence Service
emmahouse.org.au
w/respect LGBTIQA+
withrespect.org.
LGBTIQA+
Safe Schools Program
Victorian government program delivering information and support for implementation of program around safety of students identifying as gay or gender diverse.
http://www.education.vic.gov.au/about/programs/health/Pages/safe-schools-coalition.aspx?Redirect=1#link36
Rainbow Network
Promoting health and wellbeing for LGBTI Victorians
http://www.glhv.org.au/
Switchboard
Victoria and Tasmania LGBTI counselling phone service
1800 184 527
Mental Health
Barwon Health Access Team
barwonhealth.org.
Psychiatric Regional Triage Service
For urgent mental health assistance call 1300 363 788
This number provides access to all mental health services and operates 24 hours, 7 days a week.
Beyond Blue
Providing information and resources and about mental health issues.
www.beyondblue.org.au
South West Healthcare
swarh2.com.au/swh/
Wellways
wellways.org
Prisoners Exiting into the Community
Jesuit Social Services
Supporting men and women perceived to be ‘high risk’ in reintegrating into the community.
https://jss.org.au/what-we-do/justice-and-crime-prevention/reconnect/
Flat Out Incorporated
Supporting women exiting prison or those who have had contact with the criminal justice system.
http://www.flatout.org.au/
Corrections Victoria
Providing information about expectations, policy and procedures of the justice system in regards to people exiting prison.
http://www.corrections.vic.gov.au/home/release/