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Community Living Supports

Community Living Supports (CLS) is a NSW Health program that supports people living with significant mental health challenges to build independence, strengthen connections and live well. CLS provides flexible, community-based support based on each person’s strengths, needs and what matters to them.

CLS replaced the Housing and Accommodation Support Initiative (HASI) from 1 July 2026. The program continues to provide flexible, community-based support for people living with significant mental health challenges.

What is Community Living Supports?

Community Living Supports (CLS) is a NSW Health program that provides flexible support for people living with significant mental health challenges.

CLS helps people build independence, strengthen community connections and focus on what matters to them.

Support is based on each person’s strengths, needs, and can change over time.

CLS is culturally safe and welcoming for everyone, including:

  • Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples
  • people from multicultural and multifaith backgrounds
  • refugees and people seeking asylum
  • LGBTQIA+ communities.

What to expect

CLS provides flexible, community-based support to help people maintain and strengthen independence and live the life they choose.

Support may include:

  • identifying personal priorities and strengths
  • developing daily living skills such as cooking, budgeting, shopping and using public transport
  • maintaining housing and managing tenancy responsibilities
  • accessing healthcare, appointments and treatment
  • building social connections and taking part in community activities
  • support to explore education, training and employment opportunities
  • connecting with other services and supports, including the National Disability Insurance Scheme (NDIS)
  • improving physical, social and emotional wellbeing
  • support when leaving hospital and transitioning back into the community.

People work with a team of support workers who regularly meet with them in their home or community. Support is based on each person’s strengths, needs and what matters to them, and can change over time.

Eligibility

You may be eligible for CLS if you:

  • are aged 16 years or older
  • live in an area where CLS is available
  • are experiencing significant mental health challenges that affect daily life
  • would benefit from ongoing support with daily life, wellbeing and community connection
  • want to engage with support and focus on personal priorities.

Your local service provider can provide more information about eligibility and referrals.

Referrals

People can refer themselves to CLS or be referred by:

  • local mental health services
  • general practitioners and other healthcare professionals
  • (chosen) family members, friends and carers
  • housing providers
  • community organisations and support services.

Contact your local Neami service to learn more about referrals. 

Locations using this program