How to get low income housing fast

When applying for public housing it is important to realize that waiting lists are extremely long and the application procedure can be complex, even if you do meet the eligibility standards.

To apply for public housing, you need to prove to the Office of Housing that you:

• Have an Australian citizen, a permanent resident, or else you have a temporary protection visa
• Currently, live in Victoria
• Do not possess or part-own a house, unit or apartment
• Possessing an independent income that does not exceed the limits (generally you're eligible if you are on a low income and receive Centrelink benefits).
• Are not subject to some Centrelink two-year waiting period for newly arrived migrants
• Have reimbursed or are repaying the Office of Housing any money you owe it (e.g. you have repaid the Office of Housing money given under the Bond Loan Scheme)
• Do not have any history of eviction for tenancy breaches, Aside from arrears (in the past 12 weeks ) as a public housing tenant

For more information on eligibility criteria, the application process, and anticipated waiting times, check out the Department of Human Services website.

How to get public housing fast 

Housing waiting lists are somewhat confusing.

• DEMYSTIFYING WAITING LISTS

There are four categories or'segments' around the public housing waiting list, but they fall into two main categories:

1, 2, and 3) would be the'ancient' housing waiting lists segments. If you have been evaluated as Seg. 1, 2, or 3 it means your home requirements are urgent. Urgency is clarified below in sections around Segments 1, 2, and 3. You'll have priority over people on the'overall' waiting list (Seg 4), although they might have applied previously.

To be on a waiting list, you ought to be connected and actively participated with support services such as Centrelink. Income and asset limitations apply and are based on Centrelink Healthcare Card limitations for nonprofit earners. You can find out more about income and asset limits for all four home sections here (link needed).

• SEGMENT 1 — HOMELESS WITH SUPPORT

You are eligible to apply for this category if you or your household are:

Living in emergency accommodation arranged by a family violence agency

Residing in transitional housing that has been ordered for you as emergency housing (like accommodation That's unsuitable since transitional or crisis accommodation was inaccessible when you wanted it)

Living temporarily with other households because you have not been able to get or maintain accommodation of your

Living on the streets, sleeping in parks, squatting in derelict buildings or using automobiles for the temporary shield

A societal or home worker needs to apply on your own behalf using the homeless with Support Application Form' available here.

• SEGMENT 2 -- SUPPORTED HOUSING

To be eligible for this class you must have a physical or mental disability or long-term health problem and now be living in unsuitable housing.

If you're qualified you'll be put on the waiting list to obtain the high private support you require, and also to have your existing housing modified where necessary to ensure you could live independently.

Your service program employee must complete and submit on your own behalf the' Supported Housing Assessment Form', available here (link needed).

• SEGMENT 3 — SPECIAL HOUSING NEEDS

To be eligible for this category your current housing has to be unsuitable or insecure for any personal, health, or family reason like family violence. Additionally, you must be unable to acquire more appropriate housing in the private rental market.

The special home needs group applies to:

New applicants whose present housing is highly unsuitable and alternative housing in the private rental market is unobtainable

Present DHS tenants, including tenants of units that are movable, who should move to more appropriate housing.

Eligibility is assessed against the following categories:

Insecure housing (for new applicants only) -- this class applies if you're residing in temporary accommodation in which you do not have continued residency and must leave desperately.

To apply you should look for assistance from a Social Housing Advocacy and Service Program (SHASP) employee or equivalent service. Worker guidelines can be found here (link required ).

For each of these probable reasons for moving, you will find guidelines. Documentation is also required to establish your reasons for transferring. Possible reasons for moving are:

• Acute overcrowding -- if you and your family need a couple of extra bedrooms to match your household dimensions than you have in your current housing. Written documentation is needed to demonstrate all family members have lived together for at least six months and wish to live together permanently.

• Unsuitable housing -- if your existing housing has a long-term detrimental effect on one or more members of their household, who have all lived together for more than six months.

You require documentation like a report by a home support officer (HSO) that affirms the number of bedrooms in the house, everybody who makes up the household, and if the entire household is suitably housed.

Alternatively, you can supply a report by a relevant community agency or health care professional that says your living conditions or home environment hurt the people living there.

• Family reunification -- if your current housing does not allow you as a parent to live with your children. You'll require documentation from your caseworker, a protective services worker, or a worker from a recognized family support agency to affirm that they expect the kids to be reunited within six months after you have obtained your new housing.

• Unsafe housing -- if you're experiencing serious or real danger of violence, don't have other housing choices, and desperately need movement. You may be living:

At a refuge or crisis home

In a THM property

In-home where the violence happened

With friends or family temporarily.

This waiting list is known as the'overall' home waiting list or' wait turn' section for men and women who need aid, but not urgently. If you make a low income and meet the eligibility criteria, you can apply for public housing yourself, and join the required documents, How to get low income housing fast, using forms available here (link needed).

To make a general public housing program, you'll have to prove to the Office of Housing the listing of standards in the post' What Housing Options Do I Have?'. Additionally, you will have to prove that you do not possess assets worth more than AUD 30 000.