Being offered housing assistance
If you are on the register of need for housing assistance, the department will tell you when a home is available for you. You will be asked if you can move into the house, and if so, you are invited to inspect the property. This is called an offer of housing, and you are normally expected to accept the property.
What if I cannot accept the offer of housing?
If you have a valid reason for not being able to accept an offer of housing at the time the offer is made, your application can be deferred. However, you must give the reason why you cannot accept the offer before you are given the address of the property. Examples of valid reasons for deferring your application include:
- because you are on a private lease; or
- you do not have enough money to move.
If you wait until after the Department offers you housing and gives you the property address before asking for your application to be deferred, your application will be returned to the bottom of the register of need for the areas you have choosen. Please talk to your nearest Department of Housing office about deferring your application.
What if I do not respond to an offer?
If you do not respond to an offer of housing, the department cancels the offer and your application for housing. You will receive a letter telling you this has happened. There are a number of things you should do while you are waiting for an offer of housing assistance. For example it is important that you tell us about any changes to your application including personal details or if you are going away on holidays.
When will I be offered housing?
Your application is placed on the register of need behind applicants who have applied before you. When your name reaches the top of the register of need for the area you have chosen, you are offered a property once it is available. It is not possible to give you a specific date. See Waiting for housing assistance for more information on how long you may have to wait.
When I am offered a property, where will it be?
You will be offered housing from any one of the areas you chose when you applied for housing assistance.
What sort of housing will I be offered?
You will be offered housing from any type you selected (such as an attached home or an apartment) with the number of bedrooms you are entitled to. Some exemptions apply, so ask the department for details. See Types of housing for descriptions of the types of housing available.
Can I inspect the property?
Yes. You are given the keys to the property so you can inspect it to see if it meets your needs. You must return the keys by 4pm on the same day you picked them up. Keys cannot be kept overnight.
What do I do if I want to move into the property?
When you return the keys to the department, tell staff you wish to move into the property. The department makes an appointment so you can sign a Residential Tenancy Agreement. See Accepting an offer of housing assistance for more information on signing up for the home.
Can I refuse the property that is being offered?
Yes, but only because of:
- health or safety reasons,
- distance from essential services,
- employment and education needs, or
- cultural reasons.
You may believe that the property is too far from your job, essential medical services or family support. However, you may be asked to provide evidence to support your refusal.
If your reasons are accepted, you are offered the next available property that meets your needs.
What happens if I refuse a property for an unacceptable reason?
If you refuse the property being offered and you don't have an acceptable reason, your name goes to the bottom of the register of need for the areas you have chosen.
Can I refuse an offer of housing more than once?
Yes, but if you refuse three offers of housing without an acceptable reason, your name is taken off the register of need and you will not be able to apply for housing assistance for the following 12 months.
Need more information?
Please contact your nearest Department of Housing office.
Last updated 07 July 2005
Other languages