Pathways

National Rental Affordability Scheme

The National Rental Affordability Scheme (NRAS) is a Federal Government initiative supported by the Queensland Government, which aims to deliver 50,000 new properties across Australia by 2012.

Sunshine Coast Housing organisation, Coast2Bay, are delivering new housing stock under this scheme as an alternative to social housing, and will tenant these brand new properties at 25% below market rent.

Coast2Bay can be contacted on (07) 5451 2900 or 1300 796 716 . The Coast2Bay NRAS team can be emailed at: nras@coast2bay.com.au.

Their office hours are Mon, Tues, Thur, Friday: 9am-4pm. Wednesday: 2pm – 4pm

When Coast2Bay applied to the Federal Government to build these homes, they dedicated a percentage of the proposed housing to meet the needs of our Indigenous community.

 

This is a great opportunity to secure good quality, long term, affordable housing.

Before applying for a rental accommodation through this scheme, you should first check that you meet the eligibility criteria which can be viewed at

www.housing.qld.gov.au/nras or by phoning 1300 880 882.

 

To calculate NRAS eligibility please use below information:

  • First Single Adult – $50,489
  • Each Additional Adult – $19,315
  • Each child – $16,748
  • First sole parent – $53,104
  • Independent Minor – $50,489

 

Income levels above are assessed on the total income for a household, not individuals within the household. Household income cannot exceed the initial income limit at the time of applying.Tenants renting through the scheme may be eligible for rent assistance, subject to normal Centrelink eligibility criteria.

Rental Grants

A Rental Grant is a once-only grant of two weeks rent to help meet some of the costs associated with moving into private rental accommodation. A Rental Grant helps people experiencing a housing crisis. It does not have to be repaid.

 

Am I eligible for a Rental Grant?

  • You may be eligible for a Rental Grant if you meet at least one of the following conditions.You have spent more than 28 continuous days in a department-approved centre (e.g. emergency housing, a women’s shelter), or in accommodation arranged by an approved centre, and are applying for assistance within 3 months of leaving the approved centre.
  • You have been discharged from a correctional facility after serving at least 28 days, and are applying for assistance within three months of your release.
  • You have been discharged from a hospital or health facility including mental health facility within the last three months where you had been a resident of the facility for at least 28 days.
  • You are currently experiencing or at risk of domestic and family violence and have appropriate supporting documentation.
  • You are leaving a community-based rent scheme in Queensland to move into private rental accommodation, and are applying for assistance within 14 days of leaving.
  • You are homeless or at risk of becoming homeless.

 

You must also meet all of the following conditions.

  • You have not previously received a Rental Grant.
  • You are not currently living in the premises for which the Rental Grant is required.
  • You are an Australian citizen, permanent resident, or New Zealand passport holder, or have a temporary or permanent protection visa or possess a bridging visa or a Resolution of Status visa.
  • You meet the current income limit for a Rental Grant.Refer to the fact sheet Income limits for Bond Loans and Rental Grants.
  • You do not own or part own: a residential property, or a caravan, a mobile home or a live-aboard boat,donga or manufactured home,any of which are permanently connected to normal household utilities.
  • You do not have more than $2500 in cash and savings – combined for all household occupants (not including dependents).
    You do not have any outstanding debts with the department.
  • You choose a property where the rent does not exceed 60% of the total household gross weekly income.
  • All tenants listed on the tenancy agreement (other than dependent children) must be applicants for the Rental Grant.

 

In some circumstances, the above criteria may not apply. Please contact the department if you wish to discuss your circumstances. 

For more information, please call 1300 880 882

or visit www.hpw.qld.gov.au

Bond Loans

You may be eligible for a Bond Loan if you meet all of the following conditions:

  • You are not currently living in the premises for which the Bond Loan is required.
  • You are an Australian citizen, permanent resident, have a temporary protection visa or possess a bridging visa or a Resolution of Status visa.
  • You do not own, or part-own: a residential property, or a caravan, mobile home or live-aboard boat,donga or manufactured home, any of which are permanently connected to normal household utilities.
  • Cash and savings limit combined for all household occupants not including dependents ($2,500).
  • You do not have any outstanding debts with the department.
  • The rent of the property does not exceed 60% of the households total gross weekly income
  • Your combined household income cannot exceed the limits set out on website address : www.hpw.qld.gov.au/blarga ( this is not a direct link)

 

For more information contact Housing Service Centre 13 74 68