- Long-Term Accommodation
- At a glance
- Planning for long-term housing
- Involve the Household
- Preparing for the housing search
- Who will help the Household complete rental applications.
- Who can provide a personal reference if requested.
- How the Household will travel to property inspections.
- What documents may be needed to demonstrate income.
- Whether supporting documents, such as letters from CSG members, could strengthen applications.
- How electricity, gas, water, internet and other utilities will be connected.
- Building local relationships
- What's next?
Long-Term Accommodation #
Work with the Refugee Household to find suitable long-term housing that supports their independence, preferences and settlement goals.
At a glance #
- Involve the Household in choosing where they will live.
- Consider affordability, location and access to essential services.
- Begin building relationships with landlords and real estate agents early.
Planning for long-term housing #
Long-term housing should be of a quality and size that would generally be suitable for an Australian family with a similar household size and composition.
Strategies to Secure Housing:
https://refugeesponsorship.org.au/strategies-to-secure-local-housing/
Involve the Household #
CRSA recommends waiting until the Refugee Household has arrived before committing to long-term accommodation. This allows newcomers to have a meaningful say in where they will live and reduces the risk of paying rent on a vacant property if arrival plans change.
When comparing housing options, consider affordability alongside practical factors such as proximity to public transport, supermarkets, schools and other essential services. Keep in mind that the Household may initially rely on government income while establishing themselves in Australia.
Preparing for the housing search #
Before beginning the housing search, consider:
Building local relationships #
Many CSGs have successfully secured housing by developing relationships with local landlords and real estate agents before the Household arrives. Housing opportunities may also arise through community networks, word of mouth and local community groups.
“Orientation works best as a series of ongoing conversations that build confidence, understanding and independence over time.”
