If you or someone you know needs someone to talk to, for any reason, about anything, you can call Lifeline on 13 11 14 or Kids Helpline on 1800 55 1800, 24 hours a day.

There are lots of reasons someone might be homeless or in need of emergency accommodation.  

This could be because of:  

  • an unstable home life 

  • a family or relationship breakdown

  • family violence 

  • being evicted (forced to leave a property) 

  • a risk of, or exposure to, crime, drugs or violence 

  • not having enough money to rent a home. 

If you don't have anywhere to live, if your home doesn’t feel safe, or you’re about to become homeless there is help out there. 

What is homelessness?

 Being homeless doesn't mean living on the streets. 

A person is defined as 'homeless' when they have inadequate access to conventional shelter, particularly at night.  
 
Many homeless people will stay in temporary accommodation, for example: 

  • in a squat 

  • with friends 

  • in a boarding-house 

  • they may also live in crisis housing or move between the houses of friends and relatives. 

Some people who are homeless have a home, but their home may not be safe (for example where there's the threat of violence). 

Being homeless is not just about housing. It's also about missing a stable connection to friends, family and the community. 

Emergency accommodation

Emergency accommodation is needed if you are escaping family violence, are homeless or at risk of homelessness or experiencing some other type of emergency.  

This type of accommodation is usually short-term and managed by not-for-profit organisations.  
 
It can include: 

  • women's refuges 

  • youth refuges 

  • major crisis-supported accommodation services.  

These organisations may also be able to help you find or keep long-term housing, or even get you into private rental. 

Finding emergency accommodation

If you are homeless, at risk of homelessness or escaping family violence, you can speak with a housing and support worker on 1800 825 955 at any time, and for free.  

A housing and support worker will take your call. They will refer you to help in your local area.  
 
If you call out of business hours, they will connect you to Salvation Army Crisis Services. 

If you are escaping family violence, you can get help from the Safe Steps Family Violence Response Centre by calling 1800 015 188 (free call, 24 hours).  

The service will assess your safety needs.  
 
They will arrange emergency or crisis accommodation if needed or link you to a local family violence support service. 

You can also contact The Orange Door. It is a free service for adults, children and young people who are experiencing, or have experienced, family violence and for families who need extra support.  

You can also get help from:  

Getting housing assistance

If you don’t need emergency housing but are looking for information about housing options and assistance in Victoria, the Department of Families, Fairness and Housing website has information on: 

Other housing help available

 Ask Izzy is an A-Z directory of support for people experiencing or at risk of homelessness, including where to find: 

  • housing 

  • food 

  • everyday items 

  • counselling and support 

  • money help. 

Melbourne City Mission's Frontyard Youth Services provides free support for young people between the ages of 12 and 24. They can help you with: 

  • housing support 

  • health services 

  • education and training 

  • family support 

Frontyard can provide support services across metropolitan Melbourne and regional Victoria as well. All their services are free.

You can visit their offices (19 King Street, Melbourne) without an appointment. You can also visit their website or call them on 03 9977 0077.

Centrelink also offers help to people who are homeless or at risk of becoming homeless. If you get payments from Centrelink, they can: 

  • help you manage your rental payments 

  • provide one-off crisis payments 

  • make an appointment with social workers so you can work through your problems.  

Find out about payments for people in severe hardship or who have been forced to leave home on Centrelink's crisis and special help pages. The page also lists other support services.