The Department

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Purpose of Service Service hours Secondary homeless Salvation Army Careline Wesley Homelink Program Crisis Numbers Homelessness Directory

HOMELESS ADVISORY SERVICE 1800 065 892.

The primary purpose of the Service is to act as a central contact point for homeless people literally without shelter (primary homeless) to find accommodation and to assist secondary homeless to obtain assistance to seek their own accommodation. The Homeless Advisory Service liaises with relevant agencies, documents the details and liaises with Homeswest regional offices and non-government accommodation services to ensure urgent accommodation is arranged where applicable.

People who sleep rough usually have a multitude of problems apart from the need for shelter. The Advisory Service works in conjunction with relevant government Departments and non-government agencies to ensure those issues are addressed, in conjunction with finding shelter.

Every effort is made by the Homeless Advisory Service to find overnight accommodation for people who are primary homeless with the crisis accommodation services. Where accommodation in a crisis service cannot be found, clients are then referred to their local Department for Community Development (DCD) office for assessment.

The Advisory Service is a free call service (metro and country) operating from 8am to 5pm, Monday to Friday on 1800 065 892. The Advisory Service operates in conjunction with the Salvation Army Care Line on 9227 8655 (which attends to calls after hours), and the Crisis Care Line on (08) 9223 1111 or FREECALL 1800 199 008 for those who live outside Perth Metro Area. The Crisis Care line is operated by the Department for Community Development.

The Advisory Service also takes calls from people who have shelter but do not have their own tenancy or lodgings. In these cases the operators encourage clients to take bond assistance and to seek private rental accommodation. Clients are also encouraged to apply for Homeswest rental housing and can seek an appointment for an interview for priority assistance. The Homeless Advisory Service will also refer eligible people to the Accommodation Assistance Program which provides practical assistance to people in the metropolitan area who are experiencing a temporary housing crisis but do not require ongoing supported accommodation.

The service does not accept referrals of people who are suffering immediate trauma requiring specialist support, those unable to manage a tenancy without support, or those who are not able to sign tenancy agreements.

Where the client is in crisis and unable to rent privately and has no other alternative, the Advisory Service liaises with DHW regional offices to determine if any surplus (low demand) public housing is available.

The SAC Line provides a 24 hour information and referral service for people without shelter and through this process, the Salvation Army is providing an after hours service for the Homeless Advisory Service (5:00pm – 8:00am). The Department of Housing has authorised SAC to attend to Advisory Service callers as they see fit. This includes liaison with the Crisis Care Line, referral to a woman’s refuge or hostel accommodation.

Wesley HomeLink has been established to assist families and individuals in the metropolitan area who are newly homeless, or about to become homeless, locate and access long-term accommodation in the private rental market. Wesley HomeLink provides practical assistance to people who are experiencing a temporary housing crisis, but do not require ongoing support (case management) in order to maintain their rental accommodation.

For help to access emergency accommodation contact:

Homeless Advisory Service 1800 065 892

Or after hours:
Crisis Care (08) 9223 1111
1800 199 008 freecall STD - country only
Salvation Army Careline (08) 9227 8655

To contact other services which assist homeless people:

The Supported Accommodation Assistance Program provides funding to services throughout Western Australia to assist people who are homeless or at risk of homelessness.

Access information about the Supported Accommodation Assistance Program including details and contact numbers for services.

State Homelessness Strategy Website

In conjunction with the Department for Community Development, a dedicated Website is maintained to present information on the State Governments response to addressing homelessness in Western Australia, State Homelessness Strategy. This website can be found at http://www.homeless.dhw.wa.gov.au/.

Access the Homelessness Directory, available in PDF format on the Community Resources Online site.