Rent Choice Assist

Rent Choice Assist provides short to medium-term private rental assistance for people in limited locations, who are homeless or at risk being homeless due to an unplanned financial setback, such as job loss or illness.

Rent Choice Assist supports people by:

• helping them sustain or find a new place to rent while recovering from a financial setback
• paying a portion of their rent for up to 36 months, and
• referring them to support services for education and employment support to help them become financial independent.

Who is Rent Choice Assist for?

You may be eligible for Rent Choice Assist if you are:

• 18 years or older
• an Australian citizen or Australian permanent resident
• homeless or at risk of being homeless due to a financial setback
• within low income limits
• able to show history of regular employment
• able to show a successful private rental history or mortgage history as a homeowner
• not listed on the NSW Housing Register
• unable to access your assets, and
• able to be financially independent after the subsidy ends.

Rent Choice Assist supports people living in:

• Western Sydney District
• South West Sydney District
• South Eastern Sydney and Inner West District, and
• Newcastle, Lake Macquarie and Maitland.

How can I access Rent Choice Assist?

Complete a Rent Choice Assist Application form at facs.nsw.gov.au and contact Homes NSW in:

• Blacktown, if you live in the Western Sydney District
• Campbelltown, if you live in South West Sydney District
• Hurstville, if you live in South Eastern Sydney and the Inner West
• Newcastle/Lake Macquarie, if you live in Newcastle, Lake Macquarie and Maitland.

Is there an income test?

To receive Rent Choice Assist, you must be within low income limits, which depends on your household size, type and total gross household income.

When we calculate your subsidy, we include the full amount of Commonwealth Rent Assistance as income, even if you haven’t applied for it or are not receiving it.

You must let Homes NSW know within 28 days if there any changes in your circumstances, including changes to income.

Is there an assets test?

You can receive Rent Choice Assist if you have assets but can’t access them right now due circumstances beyond your control. For example, you might be waiting for a payment from a compensation claim.

What help will I receive?

A Rent Choice Assist subsidy is calculated according to your income. For the first 12 months, you pay 25% of your weekly household income plus 100% of any Commonwealth Rent Assistance you may be entitled to.

Once you have paid your share of the rent, we pay the rest directly to your landlord or agent. This is called a subsidy.

The amount you pay will gradually increase after 12 months, but we’ll chat to you about this closer to the time.

When your income increases, your share of the rent will be adjusted accordingly.

You may also receive:

• Get Started: up to $850 to help pay a holding deposit on a property and costs associated with searching for and securing private rental accommodation such as transport, clothing and haircuts and photocopying ID.
• Brokerage: to help pay for goods and services to set up a new home such as furniture, moving costs and study costs.

You can also apply for other types of private rental assistance, including:

• Tenancy Facilitation: help to search and apply for private rental properties.
• Private Rental Brokerage Service: help for eligible clients with complex needs to secure and sustain private rental accommodation.
• Bond Extra: a guarantee of up to $1,500 over the rental bond amount that may be paid to landlords or agents if there are rental arrears and/or property damage when a Residential Tenancy Agreement ends.
• Rentstart Bond Loan: an interest free loan to help pay up to four weeks’ bond.
• Advance Rent: a grant to help pay for 1-2 weeks rent in advance at the start of a tenancy.

How will I know if the property is affordable?

A subsidy will only be approved for a property that is affordable. A property is considered affordable if the rent is no more than 50% of your income plus any Commonwealth Rent Assistance you may be entitled to receive.

You might receive a bigger subsidy in certain areas where the rent is higher .

How long will I receive help for?

Initially, the subsidy will be paid for three months and can be paid for up to 36 months (maximum). Every three months, we will review your need for the subsidy and see if you need more support.

Helpful contacts

If you need more information or support, contact your local Homes NSW office or call:

• Blacktown Office 02 9831 0866
• Campbelltown Office 02 4629 3222
• Hurstville Office 02 9585 7211
• Newcastle/Lake Macquarie 1300 305 667
• Housing Contact Centre 1800 422 322

You can also visit facs.nsw.gov.au for more information.