Eligibility and How To Apply

Eligibility for Community Housing is set out by Community Parternships and Growth (formerly the Office for Community Housing - OCH).

How do I determine eligibility for Community Housing ?

Basically, there are two stages to eligibility for community housing and they are:

1. Meeting Government base eligibility criteria for community housing
   and/or


2. Meeting specific eligibility criteria of the individual community housing organisation for which you have applied
   

To find out more about the different types of Community Housing Organisations available and some of their specific entry criteria, click on either Co-operative or Association links.

Does community Housing have a waiting list and how long do I have to wait?

No. There is no 'waiting list', rather, a Community Housing Customer Register (CHCR), is being utilised by Community Housing Organisations.

Due to high demands for housing, there may be a considerable waiting period before you may be housed. It is important that you consider alternative housing options as there is no guarantee that you will be made an offer of housing within the Community Housing program.

Is there a required age limit involved in attaining housing?

Generally there is no age limit involved with obtaining housing. However, individuals applying for housing may have to comply with certain eligibility criteria which co-operatives and associations are able to develop and enforce. You will need to comply with the eligibility criteria of the housing provider you are applying to in order to be eligible.

How is rent determined?

There are several ways that rent can be calculated. It is either at a percentage or a market rent limit. These methods will be dependant on certain factors.

Generally, rent is based on the TOTAL household income. That is, all the income that is earned from individuals in one property. This may be calculated at the percentage of approximately 25% or a market rent amount will be charged (Market Rent is the name for the maximum amount of rent paid for a property). Tenants usually are required to pay the minimum of these two calculations.

Households with very low incomes (ie less than the basic rate of Newstart) will pay approximately 21% of their income in rent.

For information on your eligibility, please click here.

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