Sanctuary Program
Supported accommodation for people seeking asylum in Victoria
On this page:
Supported accommodation for people seeking asylum who are at risk of homelessness.
Sanctuary and Houses of Hope initiatives provide supported accommodation in Melbourne for people seeking asylum who have experienced homelessness while awaiting the outcome of their application for a protection visa.
Residents at Baptcare Sanctuary have fled their homeland under threat of persecution because of their race, religion, political beliefs, membership of a particular social group or ethnicity. Many have experienced trauma in their home country and in their journey to Australia.
Sanctuary’s transitional accommodation and related support services are provided to help empower homeless people seeking asylum to live an independent life in the Australian community. Sanctuary has offered this support accommodation to people seeking asylum for over 15 years.
In a sector where there is little to no government support for people seeking asylum, Sanctuary is one of a few main programs that provides transition or longer-term accommodation.
The Sanctuary program consists of different accommodation initiatives for people and families seeking asylum.
Supported accommodation
Brunswick Rooming House
This location accommodates 30 unaccompanied male asylum seekers.
Houses of Hope
These are houses throughout the community that have been loaned or rented to Baptcare. Families live together as a unit in these homes—including men, women and children—with support from Baptcare volunteers. We currently have 8 Houses of Hope in operation.
Baptcare Affordable Housing
Some former Sanctuary residents who are now able to live independently have moved into long-term, secure and affordable housing. These long-term homes are provided as part of our Baptcare Affordable Housing program.
These residents now have permanent protection, access to Centrelink social security payments and services and the capacity to pay rent each week. There are currently seven affordable housing properties providing safe, secure and long-term accommodation for 10 residents.
Baptcare Affordable Housing is funded and regulated by the Department of Families, Fairness and Housing Victoria (also called the DFHH) and does not provide direct service to its tenants.
While Baptcare is a self-funded provider of transitional housing, Baptcare Affordable Housing is a registered housing provider that must comply with the Residential Tenancies Act 1997.
Foodbank partnerships
As another means of support for people and families seeking asylum, Sanctuary operates a weekly foodbank in partnership with OzHarvest, Foodbank Victoria and the West Preston Baptist Church. Foodbank is heavily supported by Baptcare Volunteers and church community members to assist in its operation.
Additional support and case work for residents
As a part of the Sanctuary program, Case Workers can provide the following support to residents:
- services and employment referral pathway support
- access to health care and legal support
- spiritual wellbeing through conversation, social engagement, ritual, physical activities and creative pursuits
- advocacy
- rooming and tenancy support.
Referrals
Vacancies in our program are socialised to our referral partners, who are providers of support to people seeking asylum. Referrals are received through these partnerships.
How to support Sanctuary and Houses of Hope
There are many ways to support the important work being done for people and families seeking asylum.
You can:
- Donate: money, household items, food vouchers, or consider making your property available at no or low-cost rent.
- Employ: Sanctuary residents who are allowed to work are eager to find opportunities.
- Educate: by inviting us to speak with your community group, show a film, or talk with friends.
- Volunteer: your time, skills and energy—it can make a profound and powerfully meaningful difference.
To get involved and contribute in any of these ways, please contact us at sanctuary@baptcare.org.au or call 13 22 78 to help us provide hope for people seeking asylum today.
