Planning your future

Ask Izzy: Ask Izzy is a web-based app that can help you find a range of services including shelter, health, meals, counselling, legal and more.

Housing Services Online: HSNet is a free website for anyone looking for a service in NSW. It has information on over 65,000 support services across NSW, covering health, disability, aged care, welfare, education, legal and housing. HSNet works on any device that can connect to internet and web browsers.

Domestic Violence Support Line: If you or someone you know is experiencing domestic violence, you can contact the Domestic Violence Line on 1800 656 463 (free-call). The Domestic Violence Line is a state-wide free-call number and is available 24 hours, seven days a week.

Help for Aboriginal Australians: Call 1800 727 555 (freecall) or visit NSW Aboriginal Housing Office.

Deaf, hearing impaired and speech impaired access: If you are deaf, have a hearing impairment or speech impairment; contact us through the National Relay Service at relayservice.gov.au (NRS):

• TTY users phone 133 677 then ask for 1800 422 322
• Speak and Listen users phone 1300 555 727 then ask for 1800 422 322
• Internet relay users connect to the NRS then ask for 1800 422 322

Interpreting services: If English is not your first language, qualified and trained interpreters can help you with interviews, discuss complex or sensitive issues.

If you need an interpreter, call All Graduates Interpreting and Translation Services on 1300 652 488. They will phone the housing organisation and interpret for you for free.

The following resources are available to you if you want to enter the rental market:

• Tenancy Facilitation Services offered by Housing Pathways, include help searching for properties, making an application, paying bond, tenancy agreements and more.
• Rent It Keep It is a training package for those who have little experience in the private rental market to obtain and sustain a private rental property.
• Information about what to consider when looking at entering the private rental market is available on a number of websites including the MoneySmart, TenantHelp, Office of Fair Trading, Realestate.com.au

The following assistance is available to you to help maintain your rental accommodation.

• Rent choice youth is a program that helps young people aged 16 to 24 years to:
  • find a place to live (in a private rental unit, flat or home)
  • get approve for a lease
  • pay the rent for up to 3 years
  • stay in a current rental if it’s affordable and help is needed to pay the rent

You will also be linked with a support worker who will help you make and work towards study or job goals. This will eventually help you to afford the rent on your own.

• Rentstart (Housing Pathways) is an interest free loan to help clients start a private rental tenancy.
• Tenancy Assistance (Housing Pathways) provides short term financial support for clients in rental arrears facing eviction.
• Rent Assistance payments (Centrelink) provide assistance with the costs of rent to young people who receive Centrelink payments.
• Community Engagement Officers (Centrelink) help people access information, payments and services.
• Social workers (Centrelink) provide counselling, support and information.
• Crisis one-off payments (Centrelink) assist people who are experiencing difficult or extreme circumstances.
• Centrepay (Centrelink) is a free and voluntary service to pay bills and expenses as regular deductions from Centrelink payments