Have you thought about community housing?
What is community housing?
Community housing is like public housing. It offers secure, affordable, long-term rental, but instead of being run by the Government it is run by professional housing associations.
The types of homes include, houses, townhouses, units and aged persons units.
Applying for community housing gives you more choices about where to live.
Why apply for community housing?
Applying for community housing gives you more chances of being housed. You will be considered for available homes from both the community housing and the public housing lists.
Applying for community housing equals more chances of being housed
Who is eligible?
If you are eligible for public housing you will also be eligible for community housing.
What does it cost?
Community housing rent is similar to the rent charged for public housing.
How do I apply for community housing with the Department?
If you want to apply for community housing with the Department of Housing you must complete an ‘Application for Rental Housing’ form and tick the box on the cover page that asks “do you wish to be considered for a community housing property”.
Do you want to apply for community housing?
The application form should then be lodged with the Regional Office in your local area. Applicants who would like assistance in completing the application form should contact their local Regional Office of the Department of Housing. If you are already waiting for public housing and didn't tick the box, contact the Department of Housing and they will do it for you.
Copy of an Application for Rental Housing
A complete copy of the Application for Rental Housing form may be downloaded from the Department’s website at http://www.housing.wa.gov.au/Files/homes_rentappl07.pdf
When you complete the application form you will need to provide details such as the number of people living with you, their income, savings and other assets. An officer from the regional office can assist you in completing the application form.
Regional Office contact details
For the contact details of the Department’s regional offices please visit Offices: Head, Regional and Branch http://www.housing.wa.gov.au/585_414.asp
How can I put my name down on the wait list?
There are two wait lists. To maximise chances of being housed, all applicants should ensure that they are listed on both the Homeswest (public housing) wait list and the dual/joint wait list (for both public housing and community housing). Contact your local Regional Office of the Department of Housing to register for both wait lists.
How will I be assessed for priority listing?
Requests for priority listing from all tenants (ie both community housing and public housing tenants) are assessed by the Department’s regional offices.
All queries relating to priority listing are to be referred to the regional office.
How long can I stay in Community Housing property?
The answer is the same as for Homeswest (Public housing), as long as you remain eligible, pay your rent and abide by the conditions of your tenancy agreement you can stay as long as you like.
What rent would I have to pay in a Community Housing property?
Rent that you pay out of your own pocket is no more than what you would pay in a Homeswest (public housing) rental property. You pay 25% of household income PLUS rent assistance. So you will need to apply to Centrelink for rent assistance to get this portion of your rent refunded.
Who is responsibe for property maintenance?
Homeswest (public housing) property maintenance
If the maintenance issues relate to a Homeswest (public housing) property, your query should be referred to Maintenance at the responsible Department of Housing Regional Office for assistance.
Community Housing property maintenance
If the maintenance issues relate to a community housing property, your query should be referred directly to the responsible community housing provider for assistance.
For the contact details of Community Housing Organisations, refer to the attached listing (current as at May 2009). For up to date contact details for community housing organisations visit the White Pages online at http://whitepages.com.au/
Contact details for the Community Housing Providers registered with the Department of Housing Community Housing Directorate (current May 2009)
GROWTH PROVIDERS
- Access Housing
39 Adelaide Street Fremantle WA 6160
Postal address: PO Box 1334 Fremantle WA 6959
Fremantle office - Telephone: (08) 9430 0900 fax: (08) 9430 5583
or
41 Pinjarra Road Mandurah WA 6210
Postal address: PO Box 1200 Mandurah WA 6210
Mandurah office - Telephone: (08) 9581 3435 fax: (08) 9586 1505
For further contact details visit http://www.accesshousing.org.au/ - Bethanie Housing
Level 2, 216 Stirling Hwy, Claremont WA 6010
PO Box 79, Claremont WA 6910
Telephone: (08) 6222 9000 fax: (08) 6222 9039
For further contact details - http://www.bethanie.com.au/index.php?page=contact-us - Foundation Housing
131 Brisbane Street Perth 6000
Telephone: (08) 9227 6480 fax: (08) 9227 5611
For further contact details - http://www.bethanie.com.au/index.php?page=contact-us - Southern Cross Care WA
PO Box 76 BURSWOOD WA 6100
Telephone: 1300 669 189 Fax: (08) 9282 9999
PREFERRED PROVIDERS
- Great Southern Corporation
178 Albany Highway, Albany 6332
Postal address: PO Box 5695, Albany WA 6332
Telephone: 9842 8697 Fax: 9842 8698
GSC does not have a website at this time. For further details contact: Property Managers: Debbie Stone - 9842 8920 and Colin Davies - 9842 5369
THIRD TIER PROVIDERS – CONTACT DETAILS (current as at May 2009)
- Anglicare WA Inc
23 Adelaide Terrace East Perth WA 6839
Postal address: GPO Box C138 Perth WA 6839
Telephone: 9325 7033 Fax: 9325 6969
For further contact details - http://www.anglicarewa.org.au/ - Brightwater Care Group Inc
Level 3, 355 Scarborough Beach Road, Osborne Park WA 6017
Telephone: (08) 9202 2800 Fax: (08) 9202 2801 - Multiple Sclerosis Society
29 Parkhill Way Wilson WA 6107
Postal address: Locked Bag 2, Bentley DC WA 6983
Telephone: 9365 4888 Fax: 9451 4453
For further contact details – http://www.multiple-wa.asn.au/
Reception is attended from 8.30am - 4pm Monday to Thursday, and 9am-3pm Friday
