Housing Options
Explore private rental, community housing, social housing, youth housing and other suitable provider pathways, including emergency accommodation options where appropriate.
Accommodation support
Culturally Safe Accommodation Support for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Communities
We help Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander individuals and families understand housing options, prepare applications, navigate tenancy matters and coordinate disability-related accommodation pathways, including SDA and SIL - respecting connection to family, community and Country throughout.
Important: Nhanya provides housing pathway and tenancy support. We do not operate crisis accommodation or a fixed residential facility, and we cannot guarantee a placement or approval.
Do you need urgent or emergency housing help?
If you are in immediate danger, call 000. For crisis accommodation in Victoria, call the statewide homelessness line on 1800 825 955. Our team can also help you find culturally appropriate crisis and community supports.
About This Service
Housing systems can be stressful and difficult to navigate, and that's felt differently by every community. Nhanya works alongside Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander individuals, families, carers, referrers, support coordinators, housing providers and community networks to make the next step clearer - support that is culturally safe and developed with appropriate community input.
Support may involve identifying options, organising information, preparing applications, communicating with providers, coordinating referrals and planning a safer transition, in a way that respects family, kinship and community connections. The support offered depends on each person's situation, eligibility and available services.
What We Can Help With
Support is tailored to the person and the pathway they are exploring.
Applications & Information
Organise practical information, prepare rental or provider applications and understand requested documents.
Tenancy Support
Understand tenancy expectations, communicate with landlords or providers and connect with relevant assistance.
Home Setup & Transition
Plan safer transitions and connect with practical setup, furniture or community support where appropriate.
Disability Accommodation
Understand and apply for Specialist Disability Accommodation (SDA) housing, Supported Independent Living (SIL) vacancies, Short Term and Medium Term Accommodation, and disability rental assistance.
Connected Services
Coordinate with support coordinators, therapists, housing workers and suitable specialist or registered providers.
How Support Works
A straightforward process focused on the most useful next step.
Tell Us What Is Happening
Contact us or submit a referral with a short description of the current housing situation.
Discuss Needs & Urgency
We clarify goals, risks, current supports, eligibility and any immediate referral needs.
Map Suitable Pathways
We identify realistic options, information requirements and relevant providers or services.
Coordinate Next Steps
Where appropriate, we help with applications, communication, referrals and transition planning.
Our approach
Clear, Respectful and Culturally Safe
Nhanya means persistence. We listen first, explain options plainly and stay focused on practical steps that respect the person's choices, culture and circumstances.
- Person-centred and consent-led
- Culturally safe, community-informed practice
- Respect for family, kinship and connection to Country
- Collaboration with families and service partners
- Honest information about eligibility and availability
- No promises of housing, funding or provider approval
Frequently Asked Questions
Is this a separate program from Accommodation Support?
No. This is part of our core Accommodation Support service, delivered with additional cultural safety and community-informed practice - it is not a separately funded program or a different team.
Does Nhanya provide crisis accommodation?
No. Nhanya does not operate crisis accommodation or a fixed residential facility. We provide practical housing pathway, tenancy and referral support. If you are in immediate danger, call 000. For crisis accommodation in Victoria, call the statewide homelessness line on 1800 825 955.
Can Nhanya guarantee a rental, SIL or SDA placement?
No. Nhanya cannot guarantee accommodation, tenancy approval, SDA approval, SIL placement or emergency housing. Outcomes depend on individual circumstances, eligibility, funding, provider capacity and suitable vacancies.
Who can ask Nhanya for this support?
Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander individuals, families, carers, support coordinators and other referrers can contact Nhanya to discuss housing stress, unsafe living conditions, tenancy difficulties or disability-related accommodation needs.
Does Nhanya help connect people with Aboriginal community housing providers?
Yes. We can help explain Aboriginal community housing and Aboriginal housing provider options, including organisations like Aboriginal Housing Victoria, and coordinate a referral where appropriate. See our Housing & Homelessness Resources page for direct contact details. We cannot guarantee housing, tenancy approval or provider acceptance.
Can Nhanya help with emergency housing for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people?
We can help you understand emergency and crisis accommodation options and connect you with culturally appropriate services. If you are in immediate danger, call 000. For crisis accommodation in Victoria, call the statewide homelessness line on 1800 825 955.
How do I start?
Contact Nhanya or submit a referral with a short description of the current situation. The team will discuss needs, urgency, eligibility and available next steps.
Looking for other services too? See our Housing & Homelessness Resources page for family violence, tenancy and financial counselling contacts, including Aboriginal Housing Victoria.
Start With a Conversation
Tell us about the current housing situation and we will help you understand whether Nhanya can assist and what the next step may be.