Connecting Home supports people who are homeless, or at risk of homelessness, to identify and source sustainable housing. Our program workers do this through informing people about their options, linking to appropriate housing providers (such as Housing New South Wales, Community Housing, as well as private rental options) and community supports and services.
Connecting Home is government funded and is a voluntary service provided to young people (16-25), adults (of any age), and families. Our capacity to assist people is dependent on their active involvement in agreed support activities. Services are provided across the entire Northern Rivers regions (with offices in Grafton, Lismore and Tweed Heads).
We do have a service for people at risk of homelessness who are 12-16. This service is called Connecting You or Homeless Youth Assistance Program and you can find information about this service here.
Or you can call the 24/7 NSW emergency homelessness line on:
Free call 1800 152 152
Social Futures and the Communities North Consortium are delivering specialist homelessness services across the Northern District including Tweed, Byron, Ballina, Lismore, Kyogle, Richmond and Clarence Local Government Areas. Our offices are located in Tweed Heads, Byron Bay, Lismore and Grafton.
People experiencing homelessness, or at risk of becoming homeless (e.g. due to eviction, overcrowding, safety concerns and family breakdown).
Connecting Home has programs that are tailored to particular situations and/or age groups:
A person can make contact with program staff via our phone line 1800 048 310 (ie self-refer), or can be referred by another community service.
There are no support fees. It is 100% free.
Connecting Home is a voluntary service that assists people to identify and source sustainable housing.
We rely on people we support to be actively engaged in the service activities. These activities will be targeted to the specific circumstances of each individual. This may involve either a brief service response (a small number of contacts via the phone) or a longer period involving face to face appointments.
We will agree on specific goals that we will work together on achieving.
As part of these shared service activities, our program staff will respectfully explore some of the barriers (past and current) to achieving your housing goals. We will then guide you on how to either access supports to address these barriers or how you can commence making changes in your life to have positive and lasting (housing) outcomes.
No. Connecting Home is not a service that provides support to people in crisis. Anyone who is feeling unsafe should call 000, the Mental Health Access Line 1800 011 511 or Lifeline 13 11 14
Connecting Home does not provide temporary / crisis accommodation. If you are homeless and need emergency accommodation please call Link2Home 1800 152 152.
The Connecting Home Consortium brings together Specialist Homeless Services and mainstream services to provide an integrated, district-wide response to homelessness building on strong local/District presence and networks. Social Futures is Lead Agency of the Consortium. Members include:
Link2Home:
Free call 1800 152 152
Homeless Hotline (HPIQ)
This is a phone information and referral service for people who are experiencing homelessness.
Can they help me?
Available 24 hours, 7 days a week. Phone: 1800 47 47 53 (1800 HPIQLD) or TTY 1800 010 222
Website: www.qld.gov.au/homelesshotline
People who are experiencing homelessness or who require information or access to human services can call 1800 176 468 free of charge. People are also welcome to drop in and meet with OneLink staff, located at Housing ACT, corner of Emu Bank and Benjamin Way Belconnen.
Phone: 1800 176 468 Website: https://www.onelink.org.au/
Mon – Fri 8am – 6pm
Opening Doors 24-hour statewide toll free number on 1800 825 955 to speak with a housing and support worker. The 1800 number will direct your call to a service closest to you, or if the call is outside business hours, it will be directed to Salvation Army Crisis Services.
Salvo Care Line
For people experiencing a crisis, enabling them to gain access to a network of services including:
Available 24 hours, 7 days a week. Phone: (08) 9442 5777
Discover your affordable housing options: https://www.affordablehousing.wa.gov.au/
Homelessness Gateway: 1800 003 308
Youth Gateway: Trace-A-Place (young people 15 – 25 who are homeless or at risk of becoming homeless), 1800 807 364
Shelter Me is a directory of homeless services for homeless “Territorians” and contains a comprehensive guide to services in all areas of the NT https://www.shelterme.org.au/
Homeless Support Helpline
Provides immediate support, information on your options and can arrange immediate emergency accommodation.
Available 24 hours, 7 days a week. Phone: 1800 800 588