Affordable
Housing

Understanding Affordable Housing

What is affordable housing?

Affordable housing includes a range of housing types and sizes, from single units to houses and apartments, and is usually managed by non-profit community housing providers.

Affordable housing is designed to make rents more affordable to people on low to moderate incomes, so that people can also meet other basic living costs such as food, clothing, transport, medical care and education.

A period in affordable housing can also assist households to save money and move to alternative accommodation or even home ownership in the future.

How does it differ from social housing?

Social housing refers to government - subsidised short and long-term rentals. Two types of social housing are ‘public housing’ which is owned by the government and ‘community housing’ which is managed and sometimes owned by not-for-profit organisations.

Social housing rents are calculated based on income – as a percent of a renter’s income – and target people on very low to low incomes or benefits.

To learn more on the eligibility criteria and how to apply for social housing click here.

How are rents determined?

Discount to the market rent setting. Rent will usually be 20-25% below the market rate - determined by indexing the property against similar properties in the area proportion of income.

Eligibility

Eligibility is predominantly determined by income based on the number of people in your household, your savings and assets and your citizenship or residency status. Eligibility criteria do differ by affordable housing program and location.

Some general eligibility criteria include:

  • You must be an Australian Citizenship, permanent resident or have Temporary Protection (subclass 866 or 785) or special category (subclass 444 NZ citizens only).

  • You must be a resident of the state in which you are applying for affordable housing

  • You or your household members must not own or partly own property in Australia or overseas

  • Your savings and investments must not exceed certain levels depending on your household size

How long is a property leased for affordable housing?

Affordable housing is only available in some locations.

Tenants seeking affordable housing will need to enter into a fixed term lease, and tenants must continue to meet eligibility criteria through the duration of the tenancy.

Your property manager must advise you how long the affordable housing period on the property will run for prior to you signing your lease. As long as eligibility is maintained, tenants are usually able to continue or renew their lease for the period of time the affordable housing is available, or until your period in the affordable housing program has been maximised.

Want to find out more?

You can find out more about affordable housing in NSW at the Centre for Affordable Housing

https://www.facts.nsw.gov.au/providers/housing/affordable/about