The Department of Communities has launched its Housing Options registration system, making it easier to apply for housing support.
It is expected that the new system will reduce barriers to accessing housing products and better advise people about the range, availability and affordability of housing assistance available to them.
Minister for Housing, John Carey said under the previous registration system, people seeking housing assistance were required to nominate what type of service or support they felt they required.
“They also had to fill out a form for each service or support they wished to apply for, providing the same information multiple times,” Mr Carey said.
“Through Housing Options, people will provide a detailed snapshot about their specific circumstances during the registration process,” he said.
“This will allow for one integrated assessment and to match the person to the most suitable housing support for their needs.”
Mr Carey said this might include public housing, community housing, bond assistance loans, private rental Aboriginal assistance loans and Keystart home loans.
“The new process will streamline and integrate several separate application processes into one comprehensive assessment,” he said.
“People will no longer be required to know what support is available and will not have to provide the same information multiple times when seeking different types of assistance.
“The process is designed to enable a more comprehensive housing assessment to support people in making informed decisions about the most suitable housing solution based on their circumstances at any given time.”
The Minister said Housing Options would also enable the Department to better identify clients who needed priority assistance and would also provide valuable data and information about clients’ requirements.
“It will provide a foundation for the Department to improve and expand housing assistance options and services,” Mr Carey said.
A Housing Options assessment can be completed at any Department of Communities housing office and will be available to complete online in 2022.
