Housing & service navigation

Housing & service navigation

Securing stable housing and finding the right support services can be incredibly stressful, especially when systems don't always understand your cultural needs. At OdysseyCare, we believe everyone deserves a home and a support network where they feel culturally safe, respected, and deeply connected to community.

Our Geelong and Melbourne teams provide Aboriginal-led housing and service navigation to help you cut through the red tape. We walk alongside you to find the right living arrangements and support pathways for you and your family, ensuring your cultural identity remains at the centre of the process.

Culturally safe guidance for home and support

We don't just hand you a list of real estate agents or generic service providers. Our First Nations mentors and navigators work alongside you to understand your specific family structure, Kinship ties, and what cultural safety means to you in a living environment.

Our housing and service navigation programs are built to adapt, and they strongly encourage:

  • Finding living arrangements that respect your cultural and Kinship responsibilities.
  • Navigating the complexities of NDIS Specialist Disability Accommodation (SDA) and Supported Independent Living (SIL).
  • Connecting you with culturally safe mainstream services, including health and education.
  • Advocating for your rights with landlords, real estate agents, and housing providers.
  • Building your capacity to manage tenancy responsibilities and household budgeting independently.
  • Ensuring your broader NDIS support team respects Aboriginal ways of knowing and doing.

Supports we offer

We shape our navigation support around the specific barriers you are facing in finding a home or service.

Securing culturally safe housing

Advocating for a space that feels like home.

  • Assistance with rental applications, housing department forms, and NDIS housing assessments.
  • Exploring SDA, SIL, or independent rental options that keep you connected to Country and community.
  • Liaising with housing providers to ensure your living environment meets your accessibility and cultural needs.
  • Support to transition into a new home smoothly and set up a healthy household routine.

Mainstream service navigation

Bridging the gap between the NDIS and your community.

  • Identifying and connecting with local Aboriginal Community Controlled Organisations (ACCOs).
  • Assisting you in interviews and appointments with new service providers.
  • Helping you understand your NDIS plan and how to allocate funding for housing and daily support.
  • Advocating on your behalf if you face discrimination or barriers to accessing mainstream services.

Why choose OdysseyCare

OdysseyCare wasn't born in a boardroom. Leah, our founder, is a mum to four kids—one of whom is an NDIS participant. She built this company from lived experience to ensure families receive genuine, respectful support. Our Aboriginal-led programs ensure First Nations participants receive culturally safe care that honours family, Country, and Kinship.

Families and participants stick with us because:

  • Our navigators bring lived experience and a deep understanding of Aboriginal community networks.
  • We don't just talk about trauma-informed practice. It's baked in.
  • We provide hands-on help with the confusing paperwork that often creates barriers to housing.
  • We advocate fiercely for your cultural safety and tenancy rights.
  • Consistent, reliable coverage across Geelong and Melbourne.

Frequently asked questions

We are not a housing provider or real estate agency. Instead, we act as your navigator and advocate, helping you find, apply for, and secure the right housing from external providers while using your NDIS funding.

Yes. We can assist you in communicating with your landlord or real estate agent, connecting you with tenancy advocacy services, and helping you put capacity-building supports in place to maintain your current housing.

Our housing and service navigation is guided by First Nations support workers and culturally trained team members who understand both the complex NDIS system and the importance of culturally safe community connections.

NDIS funded support

Wondering about funding? These supports usually tap into your NDIS budget depending on your goals.

Typically, these programs fall under:

  • Capacity Building: Improved Living Arrangements.
  • Capacity Building: Support Coordination or Choice and Control.
  • Core Supports: Assistance with social, economic and community participation (for daily support during transition).

If looking at your plan gives you a headache, don't stress. The team can sort out the service agreements and show you exactly how to make your funding work for your housing and connection goals.

Important information

Getting things right from day one is crucial.

  • Talk to us. Share your ideal living situation, preferred locations, and what cultural safety looks like for you at home.
  • We need the standard onboarding paperwork signed off.
  • Nobody gets a generic plan. We map out a tailored navigation strategy to help you secure the right home and services.

Getting started today

We are always keen to hear from participants, families, carers, or Support Coordinators. Ready to find a culturally safe home and the right support network? Give the friendly team a call today to ask a few questions or register your interest.