Rent Choice Transition

Rent Choice Transition provides short to medium-term private rental assistance for social housing tenants in limited locations, who want to move to a private rental property.

Rent Choice Transition helps tenants by:

• helping them find a safe and affordable place to rent, and
• paying a portion of their rent for up to 36 months.

It is available to tenants living in:

• Western Sydney District
• South Western Sydney District
• Hunter/New England District
• Illawarra District, and
• Murrumbidgee District.

If you live somewhere else in NSW, ask your social housing provider about Rent Choice Transition.

Who is Rent Choice Transition for?

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

• a current social housing tenant
• 18 years or older
• within moderate income limits
• employed or working with an Opportunity Pathways provider
• able to show a good tenancy history, and
• able to show a commitment to be able to afford and sustain a private rental after the subsidy ends.

How can I access Rent Choice Transition?

Talk to your housing officer about how to access Rent Choice Transition.

Is there an income test?

To be eligible for Rent Choice Transition, you must be within moderate income limits, depending 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 us know within 28 days if there any changes in your circumstances, including changes to income.

What help will I get?

A Rent Choice Transition 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 the 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 for 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 can 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 housing office or call:

• Housing Contact Centre 1800422 322
• Domestic Violence Line ‍1800 656 463
• Link2home Homelessness ‍1800 152 152
• Link2home Veterans and Ex-Service 1800 326 898
• Child Protection Helpline ‍13 21 11

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