Short Term Housing Support
Who may be able to access the service?
The ASRC knows that many people seeking asylum are in crisis because they do not have work rights or access to mainstream social services in Australia.
While we aim to support as many people as possible, the level of need we see always exceeds the resources that we have available as a community organisation.
We therefore prioritise those who face the biggest barriers to accessing their human right to housing, and provide equitable access to support for as many people as we can.
We continue to advocate for a broader safety net for people seeking asylum from Governments. Our short term housing response is intended (only) to stabilise people for a limited period of time, in the absence of this safety net.
Who MAY be able to access this service | Who will NOT be able to access this service* |
|---|---|
| A person seeking asylum | Not seeking asylum, converted from seeking asylum to a different visa stream (eg Partner Visa) |
| No income or very low personal or household income | Personal or household income above a basic threshold |
| Significant barriers to sustainable employment | Currently engaged in sustainable employment or able to engage in employment |
| Able to participate in a goal setting plan (including engagement in education and/or employment support, making an application for work rights, etc.) | Unable or unwilling to participate in a goal setting plan (including engagement in education and/or employment support, making an application for work rights) |
| Able to provide documents as evidence for circumstances relating to tenancy, legal status, refugee determination process and any other documents the housing program deems necessary | Unable to provide documents as evidence for circumstances relating to tenancy, legal status, refugee determination process and any other documents the housing program deems necessary |
| No access to SRSS support or other income benefits | Applicant accessing SRSS support or other income benefits |
| Never accessed ASRC housing services | Conditions exist around repeated access |
* If this is you, you may be able to access other services listed here
What does this service offer?
The Short Term Housing service at ASRC offers limited short-term support for people seeking asylum at risk of homelessness, and/or who are currently experiencing homelessness.
The ASRC housing service can only support short-term accommodation interventions on a one-off basis.
This service is only accessible to people seeking asylum who have already lodged a protection application and are actively engaged in the Refugee Determination process.
The ASRC will not be able to assess and support all eligible individuals when at capacity.
Costs that will NOT be covered by the ASRC housing service:
- Rental or accommodation prices that exceed our Reasonable Rent Guidelines
- Mortgage repayments
- Rates, strata fees or other costs related to home ownership
- Housing outside of Victoria
- Arrears greater than a month
How to access the service?
Please call 03 9326 6066 or come to our centre and our Client Support Service Team can discuss your circumstances and the choices available to you. We are located on Level 2 of the Asylum Seeker Resource Centre at 214-218 Nicholson Street, Footscray VIC 3011.
Opening hours
Service hours may vary depending on staff capacity but generally, these are the days and times we are open.
ASRC Footscray
Level 2, 214-218 Nicholson St. Footscray
Monday: 10.00am to 3.30pm
Tuesday: 10.00am to 3.30pm
Wednesday: Closed
Thursday: 10.00am to 3.30pm
Friday: 10.00am to 3.30pm
Saturday: Closed
Sunday: Closed
Please note that the Short-Term Housing Service is limited due to very high demand and capacity limits. Not everyone who meets our criteria is able to be helped by the ASRC. The ASRC works hard to pressure the Australian Government to provide a safety net to people seeking asylum.
What you need to provide:
- Signed consent form including agreeing to ASRC’s Rights and Responsibilities agreement
- Completed application form (completed alongside ASRC staff member/volunteer)
- Bank statement for the last three months and other supporting documents, such as:
- Tenancy agreements and related rental documentation
- Medical documents (if not able to work/support themselves due to health)
- Visa document and, where needed consent to access your visa status
What we use it for:
- Consent to access services in line with ASRC relevant policies and procedures
- Housing application form
- Financial assessment
- Legal status
What other services could I try?
Services: Provides information about where you can find your local services
Web: askizzy.org.au
Open 9 am to 5 pm Monday to Friday (Closed Public Holidays)
Address: 68 Oxford st, Collingwood
(03) 9288 9611 or 1800 048 325
Service: crisis accommodation support
Open outside of business hours
Ph: 1800 627 727 or (03) 9536 7777
9 Grey St, St. Kilda
Service: After Hours and statewide support
Ph: 1800 825 955 (free call) or (03) 9536 7777
Hours: 5 pm to 9 am, Monday to Friday and 24 hours on weekends and public holidays
Statewide and local services: https://services.dffh.vic.gov.au/getting-help
Service: Women and children experiencing family violence
Phone: 1800 015 188 (free call)
Hours: 24 hours