Reminder: Changes to the Housing Needs Assessment

From April 2011 the department implemented the following changes to the Housing Needs Assessment (HNA):

Expansion of the current housing situation options on the Application for Housing Assistance form to include dongas and cabins.

• Applicants living in crisis or emergency accommodation are now considered to be in very high need regardless of the number of accessibility and sustainability issues they are facing.
• Definition of ‘Formation of a New Household’ has been amended to enable people with a disability living with ageing parents or carers to be listed for social housing as part of succession and transition planning.
• A new category of homelessness ‘Category C Temporary Housing’ was created. This category covers people living in motels, caravans, ‘couch surfing’ private boarding houses, and transitional housing.  

As a result of implementing the new Category C – Temporary Housing all existing applicants housed in Transitional Housing have had their applications reviewed. 

Transitional housing tenants who, as a result of the review, have been moved to Moderate or Low Need will stay on the housing register, however they are unlikely to receive an offer of longer term social housing. Transitional Housing providers need to work with these tenants, through the Tenancy Planning and Review Process, to achieve a long-term private housing outcome that is affordable, safe and secure. 

Transitional Housing providers are funded to deliver Tenancy Planning and Review with all tenants. A number of resources have been developed to assist providers to undertake Tenancy Planning and Review. These resources are available from the Information for Community Housing Providers – Managing Tenancies webpage on the department’s website. 

For more information in regards to the HNA changes or Tenancy Planning and Review, please contact your organisation’s Services Officer in Housing Provider Management on 3225 1253 or via email housingprovidermanagement@communities.qld.gov.au