Types of housing
The department provides a number of housing options to suit family and single arrangements.
The department has a variety of housing options available, although not all types are available in all areas. Your nearest Department of Housing office representative will advise you of the choices available in the area you wish to live in.
While the department tries to offer you your preferred choice, it cannot guarantee your selection. You will be offered a home of any type you selected (such as an attached home or an apartment) with the number of bedrooms you are eligible for.
The housing types available are:
Detached house
- traditional style house on its own block of land;
- contains between two and seven bedrooms (there are only a small number of properties with more than five bedrooms);
- usually has a fenced backyard; and
- corner blocks generally have fenced front yards.
Duplex
- also known as half-a-house;
- usually consists of two units;
- located on its own block of land and units divided by a common wall;
- each unit contains one to three bedrooms; and
- each unit has a fenced front or back yard.
Cluster house
- one level house within a multiple housing development;
- usually has a fenced backyard; and
- contains between two and four bedrooms.
Attached house (town house)
- three or more units built next to each other and divided by common walls;
- generally two storeys;
- each unit contains between one and four bedrooms; and
- each unit usually has its own small fenced yard or courtyard.
Apartment (unit or flat)
- contains between one and three bedrooms;
- usually in a complex of two or more storeys;
- each apartment is on one level;
- some complexes have a communal laundry; and
- generally has a communal yard/garden.
Seniors Unit
- must be over 55 years of age;
- contain one and two bedrooms with separate lounge/living room;
- some units are bed-sitters with combined bedroom and lounge/living room;
- some complexes have a communal laundry; and
- generally have a communal yard/garden.
More information
View the map to find your nearest Department of Housing office.
Last updated 17 July 2006
