Partnerships and resources
No one organisation can solve homelessness on its own.
Department of Community and Justice has a key leadership role in many areas of homelessness and funding some specialist homelessness services.
Specifically, the NSW homelessness service system is comprised of specialist homelessness services that provide prevention and early intervention, assertive outreach, outreach support, crisis or transitional accommodation, and post-crisis support. It also comprises the housing system that provides temporary accommodation, social or community housing and private rental assistance.
Homelessness NSW is a not-for-profit organisation that operates as a peak agency for its member organisations (including not for profit specialist homelessness services) to end homelessness across NSW.
Members include small, locally based community organisations, multiservice agencies with a regional reach and large state-wide service providers.
The solutions to end homelessness require a wide range of partners to demonstrate innovative solutions and advocating for action from other stakeholders including other levels of government.
In Sydney Local Health District our plans are designed to focus on health areas under our own control and supporting key lead agencies in ending homelessness.
There are many services which lead or assist in responses to homelessness such as Department of Communities and Justice, Councils, Specialist Homeless Services, Emergency Services, Real Estate Agencies and Community Centres.
Sydney Local Health District has well-established service partnerships with Government and Community Managed Organisations which are assisting vulnerable populations.
Camperdown Common Ground
This is a “Housing First model” which does not require people to engage in treatment programs or prove their housing readiness as a condition of tenancy and is:
- a service system response to homelessness, in which access to secure housing and choice over one’s housing and use of support services are considered a human right
- an evidence based approach or methodology for assisting homeless people to access permanent housing with support as needed
- based on the idea that people need a stable and secure home before anything else such as employment, community connections or better health care
The principles of a housing first approach are:
- People have a right to a home
- Housing and support are separated in service delivery but provided together to ensure sustainable outcomes
- Flexible support for as long as it is needed
- Choice and self-determination
- Active engagement without coercion
- Social and community inclusion
- Recovery oriented practice
- Harm reduction approach
State-wide phone numbers and support services
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24/7 phone line for information, assessment and, between 9am and 10pm, referrals to accommodation services including to refuges Phone: 1800 152 152 |
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Search directory of Department of Communities and Justice funded services in Greater Sydney |
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A search tool to help people who are homeless or at risk of homelessness find shelter, food, health and other critical support services |
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Exodus / Bill Crews Foundation |
Free meals and a range of supports and outreach (based from Ashfield) |
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Homelessness services and crisis accommodation (Chippendale) Phone: 1300 029 202 |
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Provide a range of resources and fact sheets including accommodation and support information |
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Rental properties in the Inner West $350 or less per week (Updated Wednesdays) |
Housing and homelessness supports for women
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Specialist Homelessness Service – Women
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Crisis accommodation and case management for women and their families in Greater Sydney |
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Inner West women’s refuges contact details |
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Crisis accommodation, housing and case management for women and their families Phone: 02 9319 4088 |
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Crisis accommodation and case management for women and their families |
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Crisis refuge for girls and young women Phone: 02 9564 3638 |
Housing and homelessness support for young people
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Provides free, safe and confidential support, counselling and health services for young people in Sydney Local Health District aged 12-24 Phone: 02 9562 5640 |
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Specialist Homelessness Service – Youth
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Directory of Department of Communities and Justice funded services in Greater Sydney |
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Crisis accommodation, transitional housing, case management and financial help for young people Phone: 02 8217 4700 |
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Caseworkers, safety planning and financial help for young people Phone: 02 9699 9036 |
State-wide organisations (funding, policy and advocacy)
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Department of Communities and Justice
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Information about and contacts for child protection, homelessness services and programs Email: shsprogram@dcj.nsw.gov.au Phone: 1800 152 152 (Link2home) or The Child Protection Helpline on 132 111 (if you are a mandatory reporter please call 133 627) |
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Advocacy to support effective service delivery to those who are experiencing homelessness, have experienced homelessness or are at risk of homelessness Email: admin@homelessnessnsw.org.au Phone: 1800 152 152 (Link2home) |
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Helping women and children move forward from domestic and family violence. Case management, practical support and groups |
Caseworkers / social workers and practical support
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Social workers who do short-term counselling, information and referrals to support services Phone: 13 28 50 |
Family violence
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NSW Domestic Violence Line |
24/7 telephone counselling and referrals to women experiencing domestic violence Phone: 1800 656 463 |
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1800RESPECT |
24 hour counselling and support service including accommodation Phone: 1800 737 732 |
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Support program for people experiencing domestic violence to remain in their homes Phone: 02 9699 9036 |
Support for Aboriginal women
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Aboriginal Women’s and Children’s Crisis Service |
Casework, support and accommodation for Aboriginal women and women with Aboriginal children Phone: 02 9558 1702 |
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Legal advice and court support for Aboriginal women and their families Phone: 02 9569 3847 or 1800 686 587 |
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Mudgin-Gal Aboriginal Women’s Centre |
Drop-in support for Aboriginal women and their families Phone: 02 9698 1173 |
Support for LGBTQI+ people
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Counselling, resources, family support and groups for lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, queer and intersex people Phone: 02 9206 2000 or 1800 063 060 |
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Support, counselling, casework and accommodation for transgender and gender diverse people Phone: 02 9519 7599 |
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Housing, counselling, case management for LGBTIQ young people Phone: 02 8594 9555 |
Technology safety
| Women’s Online Safety and Privacy Toolkit | A toolkit for women experiencing tech abuse to learn how they can increase their technology safety and privacy |
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