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The Supported Housing Assistance Proram (SHAP) is a free service to Department of Housing tenants who are having problems maintaining their tenancy. Non-Government Organisations are used to help tenants meet their obligations. Click here for brochure.
Aboriginal Customer Support Officers
To help ensure that Aboriginal tenants do not face disadvantage in their housing situation, Aboriginal Housing and Infrastructure within the Department Of Housing employs four Aboriginal Customer Support Officers to assist housing applicants and tenants.
Their main responsibility is to assist Aboriginal people who are experiencing problems with their tenancy. This might range from problems with rental arrears and sundry debt to overcrowding and other social issues. Assistance is also available to assist people with rental housing applications. Most inquiries are handled over the phone, although officers are also available to meet with you at the regional offices. Please make an appointment with the CSO to discuss your problem.
Toll Free 1800 621 826.
Aboriginal Tenant Support Service
The Aboriginal Tenants Support Service (ATSS) program provides culturally appropriate support and information to Aboriginal tenants or prospective tenants to assist them to understand their tenant rights and responsibilities, and thereby obtain housing and maintain their tenancy. The support service was first initiated as a pilot program in mid-1996, commenced on 31 July 2000 and is available in regional W.A.
For more information contact your regional office.
Debt Moratorium
A debt moratorium has been introduced to assist all Department of Housing tenants pay off debts which have accrued from previous tenancies. The moratorium offers a substantial discount off the debt once a lump sum is paid and arrangements made to pay off the remainder in regular payments. Click here for more information.
Private Rental Aboriginal Assistance Loan Scheme (PRAAL)The PRAAL scheme helps to ensure that Aboriginal tenants living in private rental accommodation do not risk facing eviction because they are in "rental arrears". It is available to applicants state-wide.
When applying for PRAAL the applicant must sure they meet the following criteria:
- living in private rental
- Aboriginal or Torres Strait Islander
- in rental arrears to a maximum of six weeks
- proof of rental arrears
- copy of notice of breach or termination
- income statement from Centrelink or employer (income limits apply)
- evidence of financial hardship
- agree to attend financial counselling
- engage with SHAP services if available in the area.
For further details contact the Tenancy Support Section at Head Office on 9440 2529 or 9440 2534.
The application form (PDF 164 kB) and brochure (PDF 149 kB) can be downloaded from this site.
