Our houses.
Cana provides emergency overnight accommodation as well as longer-term housing in homes across inner Sydney and south Perth. We offer a strong sense of community, safe and welcoming spaces, shared meals, and a range of practical supports — where it is possible for our community members to find hope and begin to put their lives back together.
St Francis House (Redfern)
~ Operating as an overnight shelter, Teresa House has re-opened in a new location in Redfern as St Francis House. ~
We provide a safe space for those otherwise sleeping rough, a bed for the night, the hospitality of a shared meal, and care and companionship offered by our volunteers.
REFERRALS | Guests need to register with Link2Home on 1800 152 152 to be allocated a bed at St Francis House. Link2Home is an accommodation placement service operated by the NSW Government.
VOLUNTEERS | Our aim is to open St Francis House as an overnight shelter 7 nights a week, as we steadily grow the number of volunteers needed to support this level of activity. We require reliable volunteers willing to make a regular commitment – say one shift once every 4 weeks. There are two shifts per night, each requiring a minimum of 2 volunteers:
• Dinner shift from 6pm – 9pm
• Overnight shift from 9pm - 7.30am
All volunteers are inducted and supported in their role.
For further information, please email info@cana.org.au.
de Porres House (Darlinghurst)
A home for men. In addition to offering temporary accommodation in a safe, community-oriented environment, we provide a variety of practical supports, depending on an individual’s particular needs — including continuity of healthcare, education and work opportunities, reconnection with family, and pathways into longer-term housing.
REFERRALS | We work collaboratively with, and take referrals from ‘like-minded’ organisations such as St Vincents Hospital, the Drug Court, Jewish House, or other providers of homelessness services.
VOLUNTEERS | Consistent with our Mission which directs us to be relational and inclusive, and to nurture dignity, hope and belonging, the de Porres volunteer role is to be a companion to our house residents. This sees them committing to regularly visit the house and being truly open to getting to know the residents. Companioning involves being fully present to the other, taking time, sitting with, accepting, listening to, and offering encouragement.
If you’re interested in getting involved, please contact us at info@cana.org.au.
Nagle House (Surry Hills)
A home for women. We offer temporary accommodation in a safe and community-oriented environment. Each woman is supported individually, with the aim of understanding the different challenges women face and how, as a community, we can best support them to move ahead in their lives — whether through continuity of healthcare, education and work opportunities, reconnection with family, or pathways into longer-term housing.
REFERRALS | We work collaboratively with, and take referrals from, like-minded organisations such as the Drug Court, Jewish House, St Vincents Hospital, and providers of homelessness services.
VOLUNTEERS | Our volunteers commit to longer-term engagement with residents in companionship-style roles. This sees them committing to regularly visit the house and being truly open to getting to know the residents. Companioning involves being fully present to the other, taking time, sitting with, accepting, listening to, and offering encouragement.
For more information about volunteering at Nagle House, please email info@cana.org.au.
Nano’s House (Inner City)
A home for women and children in need of safe, temporary and supported accommodation.
Cabrini House (Darlinghurst)
A home for an asylum-seeking family. We offer temporary accommodation in a secure, community-focused environment, providing tailored support to help residents navigate the challenges of settling into the community while their protection claim is assessed.
REFERRALS | We work collaboratively with, and take referrals from The House of Welcome, which specialises in supporting people seeking asylum.
Rachel’s Joy (Palmyra, WA)
A home for women. Rachel’s Joy offers a safe and supportive environment for women seeking to rebuild their lives. With three bedrooms and shared living spaces, this home provides stability, community, and a place to heal.
Women are supported through companionship, community engagement, and access to creative therapies. Art therapy sessions are held on site, offering space for reflection and self-expression. Residents are also connected to our outreach programs and social enterprise activities.
REFERRALS | We welcome referrals from agencies and services working with women experiencing homelessness or transitional needs, including prison out care, domestic violence, mental health, and asylum support networks.
For further information, contact us at mauz.crofts@cana.org.au.