Housing
To find a house you need planning and lots of energy which can be hard, especially if you’re in crisis. Ask yourself...
- How much can you afford on rent? Use your budget planner to see what you spend each week on bills, food and socialising.
- Where do you spend most of your time for work, school, friends and family, sport? How much is rent there? Is rent cheaper in the next suburb?
- Who do you want to live with? Guys or girls, people who work or study, smokers or non-smokers?
To set up a home you’ll need:
- Furniture – a bed, chairs, table, drawers/cupboards.
- Appliances – an oven, fridge, toaster, kettle, vacuum cleaner
- Bedding – sheets, pillows/pillow cases, doona/doona cover, towels
- Kitchenware – bowls, plates, cutlery, plastic containers to store food, broom, rubbish bin, washing up detergent
- Toiletries – shampoo, soap, deodorant, toothpaste and toothbrush, toilet paper
Save money by shopping at second hand shops (e.g. Salvos, Brotherhood of St Laurence) or share a house with others so you can split the costs.
Speak to your housing worker about:
- Housing Establishment Fund (HEF) assistance – to help you set up your home, e.g. pay your first month’s rent or buy a fridge, etc.
- Centrepay – to have your rent and bills deducted from your centrelink allowance before you get it so you don’t have to put money aside for rent and bills.
Housing Options
Different options for different situations...
Crisis Accommodation
Youth refuges where 15 – 25 year olds in crisis can stay for up to 6 weeks. Call Melbourne Youth Support Service MYSS first on 1800 800 531 to get advice.
Youth Housing
Transitional supported accommodation for 15 – 25 year olds for up to 18 months. Youth housing officers provide advice and support for young people who are homeless or at risk of homelessness. Call Melbourne Youth Support Service MYSS on 1800 800 531.
Share Accommodation
Where a group of people share the rent and bills. Share housing is a great way to make new friends. Look out for share housing adverts on notice boards in bookshops, on the internet, in cafes, at universities and in the local and weekend newspapers for vacant rooms.
Private Rental
Rented through an agent or landlord. First impressions are important, so dress neatly and be on time. When looking for private rental you’ll need;
- A bond for the key 2 referees
- Proof you can afford the rent (payslip, centrelink statement).
- 4 weeks rent in advance + bond (usually equal to 4 weeks rent). You can get assistance with your bond from the Office of Housing or rent in advance assistance from Transitional Housing Managers.
- Your own furniture, appliances and you need to pay your own bills.
When you find a place to rent remember:
- Do a "condition report" before you move in so that the agent knows what damage was already there before you arrived.
- You have rights as a tenant. If you have problems with your landlord call consumer affairs or the Tenants Union for advice.
- Ask Centrelink about Rent Assistance if you’re on a low income.
Student Housing
Where a large number of students share facilities and organise recreational and social activities – a great way to meet people.
Boarding Houses
Houses with shared living areas but private rooms. Boarding houses are often managed by Transitional Housing Managers or housing agencies.
Public Housing
Houses owned by the Victorian Government. You will need to apply for public housing and if you are approved you can expect to wait many years for a vacancy, sometimes as long as 5 years.
Rental Housing Cooperatives
Co-ops are available in most suburbs. They offer subsidized rent in properties owned and managed by the co-op. Tenants are expected to help in the management of the co-op and have input into how the co-op runs.
