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The Aboriginal Community Housing Rent Policy (ACHRP) is an income-based rent-setting model that aligns with Community Housing sector rent setting. It applies to all tenants who are renting an AHO property.
If you have questions about your rent, talk to your housing provider.
Market rent is determined on the property type, size and location. Market rent is set on AHO social housing properties using The Rent and Sale Report published quarterly by Department of Communities and Justice (DCJ).
A rent subsidy is the difference between market rent and what rent you actually pay.
Tenants residing in AHO properties are eligible to apply for a rental subsidy in accordance with the Aboriginal Housing Act 1998 section 11. Rent subsidies are granted to tenants to assist them with the cost of housing.
Your provider may undertake a rent subsidy review every 6 months to ensure you are being charged the correct rent. As a tenant you have the right to ask your provider to conduct a rent subsidy review whenever there is change in your household income or family living arrangements.
Rent assistance is a rent supplement provided by the Commonwealth Government and paid to eligible people on Centrelink payments to meet the cost of renting.
Some AHO properties are treated as community housing by Centrelink and so household members in these properties may be eligible for rent assistance.
The amount of rent you will pay will now be based on your total Gross Household Income (GHI). This figure will be compared to the market rent for your property and you will pay the less of the two.
Your housing provider will need to first determine the market rent payable for your property. This is the maximum amount of rent you can be charged for the property.
The AHO charges market rent for all its properties then offers a rent subsidy to tenants who are eligible.
Once the market rent for your property has been determined, you will need to provide income details for all household members over the age of 18 years. This will allow your provider to determine if you are eligible to receive a rent subsidy. Once your provider has determined your rent payable, they will advise you in writing.
Your household rent will include 100% of the maximum Commonwealth Rent Assistance (CRA) that your household is entitled to receive from Services Australia (Centrelink).
Your provider will undertake market rent reviews on all AHO properties annually to ensure the amount of rent charged for your property is up to date with movements in the rental market.
You can pay your rent:
The Rent Deduction Scheme is an easy way to pay rent if you receive Centrelink payments. This lets you have rent taken from your payment and sent straight to DCJ housing. If you are having trouble paying your rent, speak to your client service officer as soon as possible. Tell them what is happening and work out a way to fix it.
For advice, mediation, dispute resolution or support with maintenance and repairs requests, call the Aboriginal Tenants Advice & Advocacy Service (ATAAS). ATAAS have offices across NSW.
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