Wyndham Health, Homelessness and Housing (H3) Alliance

How do I apply for a house in Victoria?

To apply for social or public housing, you need to join the Victorian Housing Register (VHR).

You can apply online through the Department of Families, Fairness and Housing (DFFH) with help from a local housing service or service access point

In Wyndham this service is provided by:

• Unison
• H3 Rough Sleeper Outreach Program
• The Orange Door
• VACCA (depending on your eligibility)

To apply, you will need:

• 100 points of identification (such as passport, driver licence, Medicare card, birth certificate, bank or utility statements)
• Proof of income and assets
• Information about your current living situation
• Details about any urgent needs (such as homelessness or medical vulnerability)

You must meet eligibility rules, including:

• Victorian residency
• Australian citizenship or permanent residency status
• Income and asset limits

How long is the waiting time once I’m on the VHR?

Waiting times vary depending on your priority status.

People may be prioritised if they:

• Have case management and are sleeping rough
• Live with a disability
• Have dependent children
• Have experienced family violence

Access to housing also depends on:

• The amount of social and community housing available
• Your preferred area
• The type and size of housing you need

In high-demand areas like Wyndham, waiting times can be long, even for people in the highest priority category.

Private rentals are a more common housing outcome in Wyndham than social or community housing.

How do I find Emergency, Crisis, or Transitional housing?

It is important to understand the different types of temporary housing available.

Emergency accommodation

• Short-term stays in hotels or motels
• Funding may be from one night up to about one month
• Based on individual assessment and available resources

Crisis accommodation

• Longer-term supported housing such as refuges or facilities like Ozanam House or Flagstaff
• Requires a formal referral
• Vacancies are limited
• Supports people with complex needs over several months

Transitional housing

• Limited and highly constrained
• You cannot request it directly
• Allocated by Unison when no other options are available
• Priority is usually given to people already in emergency accommodation

In Wyndham, you can contact Unison Initial Assessment and Planning (IAP): 1800 825 955

There is a shortage of crisis accommodation in Wyndham. This means you may not always get housing that meets all your needs.

How can I access case management or support services while I wait for housing?

Case management depends on your support needs.Services that provide housing support can help with:

• Finding housing
• Connecting you to other services
• Ongoing support while you wait

Ask your local housing service about your eligibility and what support is available.

If English is not my first language, how do I get interpreter or cultural support?

Access to interpreters is available.

• Call Translating and Interpreting Service (TIS): 131 450
• Tell staff if you need an interpreter when you arrive

Many services also have:

• CALD (Culturally and Linguistically Diverse) workers
• Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander liaison workers

Are there specialist cultural services if I’m Aboriginal or Torres Strait Islander?

Yes, in Wyndham, VACCA (Victorian Aboriginal Child and Community Agency) provides housing support.

Address: 75–79 Watton St, Werribee VIC 3030

Phone: (03) 9742 8300

VACCA does not provide crisis accommodation but can support you with housing needs.

How do I increase my chances of getting access to a private rental property?

Rental profiles can be set up to make applying easier.

• Create a rental profile on realestate.com.au or 2Apply
• This stores your information so you do not need to complete multiple applications

Make sure you have:

• Identification documents
• Proof of income
• References
• A simple rental resume

Other tips:

• Have clear evidence of your income
• Seek bond or rent-in-advance assistance if needed
• Look at older or less competitive properties
• Consider units or shared housing (if single)
• Apply as soon as possible after inspections
• Be polite, tidy and ask questions when speaking to agents
• Use housing services to advocate for you and help with start-up costs

Where is it legal (or illegal) to sleep in a tent, camp, or stay overnight outdoors in Wyndham?

Under local laws of the Wyndham City Council, camping or using a tent on land that is not a designated campsite, camping ground or authorised caravan park may require a permit and may be unlawful.

For example: Using a tent on public land may contravene local laws

Camping is permitted in approved places such as:

• Caravan parks
• Dedicated camping grounds

For example: Werribee South Tourist Park

Can I get a tent, sleeping bag, or other gear from homelessness services?

Some housing service providers may have tents and sleeping bags. This depends on donations and stock cannot be guaranteed as it depends on donated stock.

You can also try:

• Salvation Army store – 174–180 Old Geelong Road, Hoppers Crossing VIC 3029 | Phone: (03) 9748 5433
• Salvation Army store – 84 Synnot St, Werribee VIC 3030 | Phone: (03) 9974 0951

What rights do I have as a tenant or when I’m trying to rent privately while homeless?

Even when you are homeless, if you secure a private rental you have rights under the Residential Tenancies Act.

This includes:

• Rental conditions must meet minimum standards
• Your bond must be handled correctly
• The property must be maintained and repaired

Many homelessness or tenancy support services can help you understand your rights. Tenants Victoria is a service that specialises in advising renters of their rights.

Website: https://tenantsvic.org.au/news/minimum-standards-in-rentals/

Renter Support Line: (03) 9416 2577

Open 9:30am-12:30 pm and 2:30pm-4:30 pm, Monday to Friday

How do I stay on the housing waitlist?

It is important to keep your contact details up to date so you do not miss an offer.

This includes your:

• Phone number
• Email address 
• Address

You should also tell services about changes to your:

• Income
• Household members
• Living situation

You can update your details through MyGov or by submitting a change of details form at Unison

Can I apply for private rental while on the waitlist?

Yes. Applying for private rental is encouraged as part of having multiple housing options.

While you wait for social housing, private rental may be a suitable option

You may need support with:

• Bond
• Rent in advance
• Finding housing

Support is available through Unison Initial Assessment and Planning (IAP): 1800 825 955

What support is available for young people?

Melbourne City Mission (MCM) and Unison Community Housing provide a Youth Foyer in Werribee.

This supports young people aged 16–25 who are homeless or at risk.

The program provides:

• A stable place to live
• Case management support
• Help with education, training or employment

Wyndham City Council also provides:

• Youth Response and Mobilisation (YRM) program
• Support for young people aged 12–25 and their families
• Referrals to housing support
• Food, clothes and care packs
• Free counselling for young people aged 12–25

Whitelion also provides outreach housing support for young people aged 16–25.

What if I am experiencing family violence?

There are services that provide support, safety planning and referrals.

You can contact:

• The Orange Door (West Melbourne)                                    1800 319 353
• Safe Steps Family Violence Response Centre (24/7)  1800 015 188
• 1800 RESPECT (24/7 phone and online chat)                  1800 737 732
• GenWest                                                                                                (03) 9689 9588
• Uniting Vic.Tas – 1 Duncans Rd, Werribee VIC 3030              (03) 9051 2400
• Victims of Crime Helpline                                                                     1800 819 817

These services can help with:

• Crisis accommodation
• Safety planning
• Counselling
• Referrals to other supports

Do I have to pay for crisis accommodation?

Crisis or interim accommodation is often provided free of charge or subsidised.

There may be requirements as part of your stay, such as:

• Working with a support provider
• Attending meetings or inspections
• Following curfews
• Rules for visitors

Housing providers may suggest a voluntary payment of around 30% of your income. This may help extend how long you can stay.

Am I homeless if I am couch surfing or sleeping in my car?

Yes. The Department of Families, Fairness and Housing recognises different types of homelessness:

• Primary homelessness – living on the street, in a car or in a tent
• Secondary homelessness – moving between temporary places (such as couch surfing or emergency accommodation)
• Tertiary homelessness – living in housing that does not meet basic standards

In Wyndham, you can check your eligibility for the H3 Rough Sleeper Outreach Program by contacting:

 Wyndham Community Connectors:

Phone: (03) 8734 4514

Email: communityconnector@wyndham.vic.gov.au

Can I get health or mental health support?

Yes, services available include:

• YSAS                                               Phone: 1800 458 685
• IPC Health                                   Phone: 1300 472 432
• CatholicCare                              Phone: (03) 8764 3898
• Odyssey House Victoria             Phone: (03) 9420 7600
• Mercy HOMHS                           Phone: 1300 657 259
• cohealth                                       Phone: (03) 9448 5540

These services provide:

• Mental health support
• Alcohol and drug support
• Counselling
• Referrals

Can I choose where I live?

You can tell services your preferences, such as:

• Area or suburb
• Housing type
• Accessibility needs
• Location near services

However, choices are limited and depend on availability.

What if I cannot afford bond or rent in advance?

You can apply for support via the Private Rental Access Program (PRAP):

• May help with bond loans, rent in advance or flexible financial support
• Contact PRAP: (03) 9216 0304
• Unison housing intake: (03) 9216 0300

Statewide Homelessness Line                    Phone: 1800 825 955 (24/7)

Council recognises the rights of all community members to use public spaces while recognising our responsibility to ensure we have a safe and peaceful community. There is no enforcement with respect to homelessness. Enforcement will only apply where a law (local or state) has been or is being breached. Examples of this include illegal or criminal activity, at which point this becomes a Victoria Policing matter.

Our approach to people experiencing homelessness is guided by the principles of ‘Victoria’s Charter of Human Rights and Responsibilities’ where people are treated with care, respect, safety and dignity at all times regardless of their circumstances.

If you are concerned for someone who might be sleeping rough in Wyndham, you can notify Council of the location by calling our Customer Service Team on 1300 023 411 or our Community Connectors via Community Connector.

If you feel the person may be of danger to themselves or others, or they have children under the age of 18 years old with them, please call 000.

Council requests that the H3 Alliance Rough Sleeper Outreach Program visit the location and engage with the person to offer housing and other support services.

Unison is the central access point in Wyndham for people seeking homelessness and seeking housing support.

Call Unison on 9216 0300 or visit their office at 70 Cottrell Street, Werribee between Monday to Friday, 9am – 5pm.

Visit Unison’s website for more information about what they can offer including the Private Rental Assistance Program.

Call 1800 825 955 outside of business hours to be connected to the nearest open crisis support services.

As part of the H3 Alliance there are a range of other specialist service providers that may be able to assist with mortgage stress, food relief, family violence, financial counselling and debt management, mental health support, drug and alcohol matters and gambling help.

More Information

Wyndham City Council is committed to working in partnership with the H3 Alliance, State and Federal Governments to increase the diverse and affordable housing options across Wyndham to meet the community’s needs.

More information