HERE IS A LIST OF ORGANISATIONS OFFERING EMERGENCY/SHORT-TERM ACCOMMODATION FOR REFUGEES AND ASYLUM SEEKERS
AUSTRALIAN HOMESTAY NETWORK – COMMUNITY PLACEMENT NETWORK PROGRAM (Australia-wide)
AHN is Australia’s largest provider of hosted accommodation for international students – the idea is simple: people with spare rooms rent them out to students who need a place to stay. However, in 2012, AHN launched the CPN Program, in which people could volunteer to host a refugee or refugees in their home for 6 weeks. This program was stopped for an unspecified reason in 2013 – but, in the time it was active, it was successful in placing over 600 asylum seekers, following their release from detention, into AHN managed hosted accommodation.
Importantly, the AHN has decided to relaunch the CPN and is currently taking expressions of interest for hosting in anticipation of Australia’s intake of 12 000 Syrian refugees[1]. This initiative is supported by the federal government which pays hosts around $250 a week as rent for the refugees in their home.
Contact Details
Phone: 1300 697 829
Website: http://homestaynetwork.org
ASYLUM SEEKERS CENTRE (NSW)
Their website states that if you are an asylum seeker and homeless or about to become homeless, ‘we can help you find short term accommodation straight away so that you are safe and not forced to sleep on the street. We will then help you find somewhere to live longer term[2].’
Contact Details
Email: intake@asylumseekerscentre.org.au
Phone: 02 9078 1900
Website: http://asylumseekerscentre.org.au
Address: Becher House, 43 Bedford St, Newtown NSW 2042
BLUE MOUNTAINS REFUGEE SUPPORT GROUP (NSW)
BMRSG has previously offered accommodation to asylum seekers in emergency situations[3].
Contact Details
Website: http://bmrsg.org.au – BMRSG is only contactable through their websit
BAPTCARE (Victoria)
Baptcare Sanctuary provides supported transitional accommodation for asylum seekers living lawfully in the community awaiting the outcome of their application for a Protection visa or Humanitarian claim. Baptcare has two Sanctuary facilities in Melbourne: one houses 28 men, and the other has 44 individual bedrooms plus a three bedroom family unit[4].
Contact Details
Phone: 03 9381 7222
Email: info@baptcare.org.au
Website: www.baptcare.org.au
BRIGIDINE ASYLUM SEEKERS PROJECT (Victoria)
BASP provides accommodation to a number of asylum seekers[5].
Contact Details
Phone: 03 9696 2107
Address: 52 Beaconsfield Pde, Albert Park VIC 3206
FREMANTLE MULTICULTURAL CENTRE (Southern Perth)
The Crisis Accommodation Program for Migrants and Refugees program provides support and assistance to those living in the Southern suburbs of Perth who are homeless or who are about to become homeless. As part of this program, families can be offered supported short-term accommodation in one of 11 off site, detached fully furnished houses.
Contact Details
Phone: 08 9336 8282
Email: Administration@fmcwa.com.au
Address (head office): 241-243 High St, Fremantle WA 6160
HOUSE OF WELCOME (NSW)
This is an organisation based in Sydney working with asylum seekers and refugees and helping them integrate into the greater community. As part of this, they provide transitional shelter for families and individuals. They currently have 25 properties across Sydney, with an average stay of 11 months[6].
Contact Details
Phone: 02 9727 9290
Website: http://www.houseofwelcome.com.au/
Address: 140 Wattle Ave, Carramar NSW 2163
ENOUGH ROOM (NSW)
The House of Welcome is also currently working with a new start-up company (still in a pilot phase) called Enough Room that, very similarly to the CPN program, aims to connect refugees and asylum seekers in need of housing in Sydney with people in the community with spare bedrooms free of charge. Enough Room connects willing hosts with agencies who then connect them with refugees in need. This is a very new organisation and is so far localised in Sydney but has hopes of expanding to Melbourne.
Contact Details:
Website: http://enoughroom.org
JESUIT REFUGEE SERVICE AUSTRALIA (NSW)
In Sydney, JRS’ Shelter Project was established in response to a shortage of affordable housing and accessible services for asylum seekers living in the community. The Shelter Project provides asylum seekers with short to medium term accommodation and is available in emergency situations[7].
Contact Details
Email: info@jrs.org.au
Phone: 02 9356 3888
Website: www.jrs.org.au
Address: 24 Roslyn St, Kings Cross NSW 2011
MDA (Queensland)
MDA work with newly arrived individuals and families from refugee and migrant backgrounds, and their local communities to achieve the best settlement outcomes possible.
Contact Details
Phone: 07 3337 5400
Website: www.mdaltd.org.au
Address: Brisbane Multicultural Centre, 28 Dibley St, Woolloongabba QLD 4102
RISE (Victoria)
RISE works in partnership with local authorities and neighbourhood services to ensure the sensitive and appropriate accommodation of refugees. RISE also seeks to minimise homelessness amongst refugee communities by assisting with the provision of emergency and crisis accommodation[8].
Contact Details
Email: admin@riserefugee.org
Phone: 03 9639 8623
Website: www.riserefugee.org
Address: Level 1, 247 Flinders Lane, Melbourne VIC 3000
SETTLEMENT SERVICES INTERNATIONAL (NSW)
SSI supports people who are seeking asylum with short-term, transitional and crisis housing to eligible recipients including Unaccompanied Minors and families with young children.During their stay in transitional and crisis housing, SSI assists recipients to source and secure affordable long-term housing.
SSI also self-funds emergency housing assistance of up to six weeks of crisis accommodation for SSI clients or clients referred by other service providers.
Contact Details
Email: info@ssi.org.au
Phone: 02 8799 6700
Website: www.ssi.org.au
Address: 2/158 Liverpool Rd, Ashfield NSW 2131
It seems to me that you and these organizations are doing a fabulous job assisting refugees while at age 79 years,some recent health problems, but still working part time and managing an 8 acre property I have played no part and cannot see myself doing so. However, with the virtual demise of the WWOOF programme via the Abbott government, I have begun to wonder whether there could be mutual benefit for myself and some specific refugees who want to get out of the city. You could look at wwoof.com.au. At our place we have a fair bit of accommodation, provide good food,lots of practise speaking English and lots of interest and good company. In the past few years we have had about 50 overseas travellers staying with us from about 3 weeks to 3 months each helping us care for our small number of animals, weeding the garden etc in return for bed and board & invaluable cross cultural experience all round. As a social Worker,I can imagine a concern that refugees could be exploited but I think it could be an option for some people & we would love it.
Hi I have a friend who is a refugee, and is in need of help. He’s been homeless for a few weeks now after his friend left the country and was staying with his friend’s friend – and they told him to leave. Hasn’t showered or had a meal but needs a room. He lives in Sydney, and when he rang Red Cross they didn’t do much of “help”. He said that they only have accommodation that looks like a dorm room style, likes his own privacy. Can someone help??
Hello,
We are looking to become a accomodation provider for refugees.
What is the process that is required please?
We will like to accommodate for refugees in Queensland. Who will be the right body to contact. Please advice
Department of Immigration
Hello Julian, City of Whittlesea just launched its Welcome to Whittlesea guide for those seeking asylum and we also staged a service provider forum to ascertain some actions in supporting people seeking asylum in our municipality. Do you know if Rooms for Refugees and or similar housing program might be available in Victoria to assist with accommodation?
Spare Rooms For Refugees is not really functioning any more.
Maybe we need to revive it, but I have got a fair bit on my plate.
It’s great that the City of Whittlesea has launched it Welcome to Whittlesea guide. It could just put the word out that residents of Whittlesea who are willing to give free accommodation to a refugee should contact the city, or whoever agrees to manage the programme. Just keep it really simple.
I am an artist living in a rural environment.
My home is a little on the sensory overload .
…but has room for welcoming people needing rest and respite from the city.
Perhaps you could advise me who to contact re making available my offer and who to work with.
Many thanks
Dianne