Emergency housing events

There are a range of different circumstances that can lead to a client, their partner, and dependent children (if any) needing emergency housing.

An emergency housing event means the period starting when a client’s immediate emergency housing need first began and continues until MSD is satisfied the need has been resolved.

Typical examples of an emergency housing event include:

• client was staying with family but was asked to leave due to overcrowding
• client's landlord selling their rental property and the client cannot find another place to live
• client cannot get another rental due to tenancy history or affordability
• client needing to leave home suddenly due to experiencing family violence

It can also include a situation that has been ongoing but there has not been an Emergency Housing Grant paid for it yet (e.g. a client who has been living on the streets or sleeping in their car for months).

A client may get one or more Emergency Housing Grants for the same emergency housing event.

MSD needs to determine whether an application for an Emergency Housing Grant relates to either a new or existing emergency housing event. This is because for new emergency housing events, the emergency housing responsibilities do not apply for the first 7 nights.