Social Housing Advocacy and Support Program
The Social Housing Advocacy and Support Program (SHASP) provides support to both public housing and community housing tenants, otherwise known as social housing tenants.
SHASP helps tenants to access a range of non-government services in their local community, so tenants know they are getting independent help and support.
The type of assistance that SHASP can provide includes:
- Where you need to arrange to make payments to catch up the amount of rent you owe, or to see a financial counsellor
- Where you need to sort out a neighbour problem and find a solution everyone can be happy with
- Where you need to get something fixed and you've already contacted the Housing Call Centre or your local housing office
- Where you want to record a formal complaint, contact the Department of Human Services general complaints line
- Where you need assistance to appeal a decision using the department's appeals process
- Where you need to show you are eligible, and need further assistance to complete your application and produce documents
- Where your public housing tenancy is at risk, or as a new tenant, you need someone to work with you to support you with your housing.
Public housing tenants
If you think SHASP may be able to help you, talk with your local housing office and they will arrange for you to see a SHASP service provider.
Your local housing office may also be able to link you with other services that could help you or you can also contact your local SHASP directly.
SHASP for social housing tenants
If you need help with your social housing tenancy, or to sort out tenancy problems with your long-term community housing landlord (such as a co-operative, Department of Human Services owned rooming house, housing association), SHASP may be able to help you.
If you think that SHASP may be able to help you, contact your local SHASP direct. Your local housing provider can also tell you how SHASP may be able to help you.
Local SHASP services
Barwon region
Barwon area
Bethany Community Support
(03) 5278 8122
South west area
Community Connections Victoria
1300 361 680
Eastern region
Box Hill area
UnitingCare Harrison
(03) 9871 8700 (ask for "intake")
Ringwood area
Wesley Homelessness and Support Service
(03) 8870 4030
Gippsland region
Quantum Support Services
(03) 5120 2000
1800 243 455
Grampians region
PACT Community Support
(03) 5309 1900
1800 660 556
Hume region
Rural Housing Network
Wodonga (02) 6055 9000
Wangaratta (03) 5722 8000
Seymour (03) 5735 2000
Shepparton (03) 5833 1000
Loddon Mallee region
Advocacy and Rights Centre
Bendigo (03) 5444 4364
Mildura (03) 5023 5966
1800 639 121
North & West region
Northern area
HomeGround Services
(03) 9471 4522
Inner North 1800 048 325
Outer North 1800 834 125
Western area
Wombat Housing and Support Services
(Ascot Vale, Carlton, Footscray and North Melbourne housing office)
(03) 8327 2222
1800 887 775
SASHS Western - Network (Sunshine housing office)
(03) 9312 5799
Southern region
Inner and middle area
HomeGround Services
(03) 9537 7888
Outer area
WAYSS LTD
(03) 9791 6111
Statewide telephone advice
Tenants Union of Victoria
1800 068 860
