Private Rental Support
Launch Housing’s Private Rental programs provide people at risk of, or experiencing homelessness with practical assistance to establish and maintain private rental tenancies, including in some cases financial support.
We assist people to establish or maintain a home by providing them with information about the current rental market, the housing search process, and offers practical support and assistance with forms and other requirements (e.g. rental applications).
Financial assistance can be offered to eligible renters to meet the cost of rent in advance and other tenancy establishment costs or rent arrears. Private Rental Workers provide renters with information, advocacy and support as well as details and/or referral to other specialist services within Launch Housing or external agencies where requested or required.
Rental Arrears
May be available to renters who have fallen behind in rent and are living in private rental accommodation. If eligible, they can receive a one-off payment.
For assistance with setting up a repayment plan with your agent/landlord, please go to Dear Landlord. If you need assistance to complete this please consider our tenancy focused case management support.
Rent in Advance
May be available to people at risk of, or experiencing homelessness who need to access private rental who require financial assistance can be provided with the first month’s rent in advance. This only applies to individuals/families who meet our program eligibility requirements.
Private Rental Workers provide advice and rental assistance to eligible renters by helping them search for housing, improve rental applications and can assist with the first month’s rent in advance for eligible renters.
Access Private Rental Assistance
To be eligible for Launch Housing’s private rental supports you must reside in one of the following Local Government Areas:
- Cities of Greater Dandenong, Casey and Cardinia Shire
- Cities of Port Philip, Stonnington, Glen Eira, Bayside, Kingston, Frankston and the Mornington Peninsula
- City of Melbourne (CBD, Southbank and East Melbourne only), Yarra, Darebin, Banyule, Nillumbik and Whittlesea
If you are outside these areas please got to private rental assistance program providers to identify the local service provider.
To apply for assistance with Rent in Advance or Rental Arrears please complete the PRAP application form and our team will get in touch with you.
The team will prioritise Rent in Advance requests and will contact applicants within 24 hours after they submit our application form.
For all Rental Arrears requests we will contact you within 5 business days. If you haven’t heard from us within 5 business days, please call our team on 03 9556 5775.
Only if you are unable to complete the attached form you may contact the Private Rental Assistance Program on 03 9556 5775.
The Launch Housing PRAP application form is hosted on a secure, encrypted platform Jotform.
Please note: all eligibility information provided will be verified with the source.
Tenancy Focused Case Management Support
We offer a short term (maximum 13 weeks) voluntary tenancy focused support program that provides valuable education, practical support and advocacy for tenants residing in private rental properties who find they may be struggling to maintain their housing.
We assist with practical support and guidance to maintain their current tenancy by providing:
- Assistance to encourage ongoing positive communications pathway between renter and their rental provider.
- Negotiating rent arrears repayment plans to avoid possible Notice to Vacate and further action by rental provider.
- Advocate in VCAT hearing where possible.
- Assisting to linkage and referral to relevant support needs including; employment services, financial counselling, specialised support services and professional legal advice and representation when required.
- Provide vital education in regards to maintaining a positive rental history for current and future properties.
Tenancy Focused Case Management is unique and beneficial for those that may have entered a private rental tenancy for the first time or, have experienced issues which have become barriers for future rental opportunities. The team support renters to maintain their focus on prioritising their rent as a primary living expense. The program is focused on empowering and educating renters to be confident in their current and future tenancies.
Support is provided on an outreach response, office-based meetings or remotely over the telephone dependent on the renters personal circumstances.
The team work cooperatively with other specialist supports involved with the renter(s) and maintain their focus on issues impacting on sustaining housing.