Allocations – Affordable Housing Policy

POLICY STATEMENT

1.PURPOSE

The purpose of this policy is to outline the process for allocation of properties to Affordable Housing tenants.

2.DEFINITIONS

Affordable Housing is housing that is offered for rent to eligible clients at a discounted rate equal to 75 and 80% of the Market Rent Valuation. These properties can be managed under the NSW Government Affordable Housing Guidelines.

Social Housing is low rent accommodation subsidised where rent is charge according to eligibility and income.

Very Low-, Low- and Moderate-income limits are set under the NSW Affordable Housing Guidelines and may be amended from time to time.

NRAS National Rental Affordability Scheme

3.COVERAGE

This policy applies to all Affordable Housing properties owned and/or managed by SCH, including NRAS.

4.PRINCIPALS

Available Affordable Housing properties will be advertised in the local SCH Service centre and where possible in the SCCH web site.

A register of eligible applicants will be maintained for a period of 6 months. After that time, eligible applicants must apply again for any new properties that become available.

Applicants on the Social Housing waiting list may be identified and encouraged to apply for Affordable Housing. This does not constitute an offer of social housing and the household can refuse this invitation, or a subsequent offer of an Affordable Housing tenancy, without penalty to their status on the waiting list. However, if an offer of Affordable Housing property is accepted, the applicant will be regarded as suitably housed.

Upon acceptance, tenancies will be managed under SCH’s Affordable Housing policies.

5.RESPONSIBILITIES

The Access and Demand Housing Officer is responsible for advertising vacancies and identifying appropriate tenants for properties, in consultation with the relevant Manager.

Decisions on allocation will be approved by the Access and Demand Manager.