Emergency housing can be really hard to find. Homelessness is a fast growing issue in Australia. If you don’t have access to conventional shelter, especially at night, or are couch surfing with friends, or living with violence in your home and needing to leave, you may be considered to be homeless.

There are heaps of causes of homelessness. It can be anything from escaping from a troubled relationship or a situation that is violent to unemployment, to relationship breakdown.

There are many programs in Australia that aim to relieve homelessness. The services include advice, financial support and temporary accommodation. If you are currently without a place to live or face the risk of losing your home the following services may be able to help you:

National

• Centerlink crisis or special help is available by following the link to ‘accommodation and renting issues’ to find out more information about Centrelink housing assistance. 
• The Salvation Army (Salvos): 13 72 58
• Lifeline: 13 11 14
• St Vincent de Paul (Vinnies): 13 18 12
• Ask Izzy: online support service finder

South Australia

• Visit Housing SA for help in a crisis situation 
• Housing SA Homelessness Service Provider Directory
• Homelessness Gateway (including families): 1800 003 308
• Youth Gateway (15-25 years): 1300 306 046 or 1800 807 364
• Domestic Violence and Aboriginal Family Violence Gateway: 1300 782 200 or 1800 800 098
• Aboriginal Hostels Limited

Queensland

• Homeless Hotline: 1800 474 753
• If you have been in out-of-home care, try Youth Housing and Reintegration Services (YHARS) for help to find different accommodation options.
• The Salvation Army (Salvos): 13 72 58 
• St Vincent de Paul (Vinnies): 07 3010 1096
• Lifeline: 13 11 14
• Ask Izzy: online support service finder

Brisbane:

• Brisbane Crisis Accommodation
• Brisbane Home for Good: (07) 3036 4444
• HART 4000 Homelessness Assessment and Referral Team: (07) 3004 0100
• Micah Projects: (07) 3029 7000

QLD Regional areas:

• Townsville Homelessness Hub: (07) 4753 0600
• Cairns Homelessness Service Hub: (07) 4046 8050
• Gold Coast Homelessness Service: (07) 5579 6060

Victoria

• DHHS – Crisis Accommodation: 1800 825 955
• Wesley Mission Victoria: (03) 9662 2355
• Youth Central

Northern Territory

• ShelterMe
• Missionbeat NT
• Youth Housing Options and Pathways (YHOPP)
• Youth Accommodation Support Services

Western Australia

• WA Housing Hub
• Anglicare WA: YES! Housing 9263 2009 and Y-Shac (crisis accommodation) 9523 3400 (Rockingham) or 9412 0673 (Spearwood)
• Indigo Junction Indi House Emergency Accommodation: 9274 1611
• Young Women’s Program:Can provide short to medium term accommodation for young women 16–25 years of age who are homeless, at imminent risk of homelessness, or need transitional support in becoming independent. The program specialises in accommodating and supporting pregnant young women. Call 9497 1351
• St John of God Horizon House: provides stability and support for young people aged 16 to 22 years old to help them set and achieve their goals and independence. Access is via a referral process
• RUAH Community Services: helps young people aged 18+ access stable housing
• Mission Australia Housing: for families on low to moderate incomes who are having difficulty securing housing in the private rental market. Call 1800 269 672
• Fusion Perth Student Household Service: 9355 1159

New South Wales

• Link2home is the state-wide homelessness information and referral telephone service. Open all day every day: 1800 152 152
• Yconnect – Emergency accommodation services for your people under 18: 1800 424 830
• NSE HSNet 

ACT

• Onelink: 1800 176 468
• Street to Home supports people who are ‘sleeping rough’ and/or experiencing chronic long term homelessness in Canberra:1800 176 468. 
• Early Morning Centre at the Canberra City Uniting Church at 69 Northbourne Avenue, Canberra City. They offer breakfast on weekdays and support services if you find yourself homeless or at risk of becoming homeless.

Tasmania

• ShelterTAS
• Housing Connect: If you require emergency accommodation: 1800 800 588 (24 hour service)
• Oakleigh Accommodation Services (North-West Tasmania) provides emergency accommodation to homeless men, women & children in Burnie: Ph: 03 6430 4120
• McCombe House provides emergency accommodation to women and children in Hobart: 03 6228 1099